Department visit: Prof. em. Ray Ison [07.04.25]
On the occasion of his keynote at the GAIA Conference, the renowned systems theorist Prof. Emeritus Ray Ison visited our department in early April. One day before the conference began, he accepted Dr. Andrea Knierim’s invitation to a two hour workshop.
In a series of brief “impulse” presentations, our team showcased key research projects—from multi‑actor initiatives in the field to applications within the Agrarian Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS). They demonstrated how systems thinking works in practice and described the challenges they face on a daily basis. Prof. Ison provided commentary on the methods presented, posed critical questions about integrating interdisciplinary insights, and offered valuable suggestions for further refining our approaches.
His visit injected fresh energy into our department, sparking ongoing discussions and an intensive professional exchange on systems thinking. And naturally, the intellectual input was complemented by homemade snacks, which created a warm and convivial atmosphere.
