April 2013 Public Talk on Leadership at NUI Galway

NUI Galway’s Community Knowledge Initiative (CKI) together with Green Sod Ireland will host a public talk on leadership and the management of change in organisations, based on an innovative approach called complexity theory. The talk, entitled ‘Complexity and Collaboration – the way forward’ will be given by Professor Eve Mitleton-Kelly of the London School of Economics, on Thursday, 18 April at 7.30pm in the Moore Institute, NUI Galway.

‘Complexity and Collaboration – the way forward’ will outline and discuss a variety of tools and methods which can be used to apply complexity theory in a practical way to organisational change in different environments.  Professor Mitleton-Kelly will discuss how insights from complexity theory can help tackle apparently intractable problems in bringing about organisational transformation, emphasising the application of complexity theory in practice. This talk will benefit people in education, health, the community and voluntary sector and business, who are dissatisfied with traditional approaches to organisational change, and academics who would like to learn more about the application of complexity theory in practice.

Through her work, Professor Mitleton-Kelly has developed a theory of social systems and a method to address complex social problems which is being used for teaching at universities around the world. She has been Policy/ Scientific Advisor to European and USA organisations, the European Commission, several UK government departments, and several foreign governments. Her research has concentrated on the implications of the theories of complexity for organisations, specifically on strategy and policy development and on the creation of enabling environments to address problems encountered by organisations in both the public and private sector.

Inspired by the vision of the environmental organisation Green Sod Ireland, Professor Mitleton-Kelly has agreed to assist the organisation to scale-up and grow, through the application of complexity theory. The aim is to co-create a new culture, structure and way of working within the organisation and the wider community as Green Sod Ireland works for social change.

“It is tremendous for us to have a woman of Professor Mitleton-Kelly’s calibre working with us in Galway. We are also very happy with this opportunity to strengthen our partnership with NUI Galway through CKI” said Melissa Griffith of Green Sod Ireland.

Ann Lyons of NUI Galway’s CKI, said: “This public talk is part of a week-long visit by Professor Mitleton-Kelly to Galway, to work with Green Sod Ireland. CKI is delighted to have the opportunity of collaborating with Green Sod Ireland on this public talk and to be in a position to bring the work of Professor Mitleton-Kelly to a wider audience in Galway.”

Admission to the talk is free of charge, but as places are limited, booking is required. Please book by contacting Mary Bernard at mary.bernard@nuigalway.ie or 091 493823.

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