Stephanie White
IEEE Circuits and Systems Society joint Chapter of the Vancouver/Victoria Sections
IEEE joint Control, Robotics, and Cybernetics Chapter of the Vancouver Section
IEEE Systems Council Distinguished Lecturer Program

Prof. Stephanie White
Long Island University
Brookville, New York, USA

Title: Systems Theory, Systems Thinking
(Presentation is available in pdf format.)

Thursday, November 15, 2018, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Room 4018, Fred Kaiser Building, 2332 Main Mall, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z4

Light refreshments will be served.
The event is open to public.
We would greatly appreciate if you would please register so that we may more accurately estimate the room size and refreshments.
Map: Kaiser Building
Map: Kaiser Building on Google maps


Abstract

This talk discusses several important concepts in cybernetics, including organized complexity, transformation, feedback, and control. The talk concludes with a brief overview of three important systems thinking approaches: Jay Forrester's System Dynamics, Peter Checkland's Soft Systems Methodology (SSM), and Stafford Beer's Viable Systems Model (VSM). Using causal loops and System Dynamics, the analyst can model and simulate interactions among system elements and avoid emergent problems when a system or organization becomes operational. Using SSM, the analyst learns about the whole problem under study, the criteria for success, and all the influences and constraints. Using VSM the analyst diagnoses and controls the organization and works towards improving it.

Biography

Dr. Stephanie White is a Senior Professor at LIU-Post. She teaches a doctoral course in systems theory and undergraduate and master's level courses in computer science and systems engineering. Previously Stephanie was Principal Engineer of requirements and architecture for the Northrop Grumman Advanced Technology and Development Center in Bethpage. During her twenty-year career at Grumman and Northrop Grumman, she was a Principal Investigator on government-funded research contracts and transferred technology to aircraft and space programs. Dr. White is President of the IEEE Systems Council, serves on the IEEE Technical Activities Board, and Chairs the IEEE Thesaurus Editorial Board. She received an IEEE-USA Award for inspiring women to work in STEM fields and for leadership in diversity initiatives.


Last updated
Wed Nov 21 20:25:51 PST 2018.