About
This is a blog about two related issues on which I’m doing research:
- the history of the field of systems thinking, via the major thinkers who have shaped the field – I have a book almost complete on this subject, written with Karen Shipp;
- the way that many different fields conceptualise the concept of information – David Chapman and I have been leading an interdisciplinary investigation into this, within and outside the Open University.
I’ll also post from time-to-time about other issues that interest me, especially to do with online communication and collaboration, a long-term interest of mine (the subject of my PhD), and which I’m writing about for a new Open University course.
I’m Magnus Ramage, a lecturer in information systems at the Open University in the UK. I work in the Department of Communication & Systems, part of the Faculty of Maths, Computing & Technology. My main current research is on the subjects above; past interests which I might take up again have included information systems evaluation, legacy systems and scenario planning.
I was born and grew up in Glasgow, now live in Northampton, I’m married and have a three year old daughter. I’m a liberal Christian (brought up in the Church of Scotland, been a Quaker for 15 years, associate member of the Iona Community). Politically liberal and greenish though not affiliated to any particular party.
