About the Complexity Society

Origins

The idea for a UK based society of people interested in complexity originated during a conversation between Peter Allen (Cranfield University) and Elizabeth McMillan (Open University) in the summer of 2001. An invitation was circulated inviting people to a meeting at the Open University in Milton Keynes on Monday 3rd December 2001. People from across the UK attended from many different organisations and walks of life. Peter and Elizabeth presented their ideas and then everyone got together to plan the way ahead.

In the summer of 2002 the Complexity Society was set up as a Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered number 04526904. It has a Council of Management consisting of nine directors and a growing membership.

Aims

The Society seeks to CONNECT, DISSEMINATE, INFORM, TAKE ACTION.

• CONNECTING individuals and groups enthusiastic about complexity and providing a 'home' for complexity in the UK
   
• DISSEMINATING, communicating and spreading ideas and insights using public seminars, conferences, Internet, publications
   
• INFORMING and educating individuals, organisations, government and policy makers at local and national levels
   
• TAKING ACTION, practising the values we espouse and moving Complexity into the mainstream of UK and European life