The Honest Series
Does the system lie to itself?
The Theory of Complex Systems
Where data, decisions, and honest thinking meet.
Wednesday, July 8 | 1:00 PM AEST
About the series
The Honest Series is Link Digital’s conversation series for data managers in government, research institutions, NGOs, and academia who are tired of webinars that read like sales pitches. Our promise is simple. Candid conversations and useful takeaways.
Each session will bring together data practitioners and thinkers across three pillars: complex systems, data sovereignty, and open data. Sometimes the topic will sit at the intersection of the science of decision-making or the design of open data systems.
At others, we will discuss the technical details of how data sovereignty gets implemented in practice or how to build an open data portal that earns public trust.
All of them will involve honest discussion about what works and what doesn’t, and what you might need to think about next.
Opening session
Wednesday, July 8 | 1:00 PM AEST
Does the system lie to itself? The Theory of Complex Systems
A live conversation on what honest assessment looks like inside complex systems, networks, and the data we depend on to make decisions. We will explore the gap between how systems describe themselves and how they actually behave, and what that means for the people building data infrastructure and the people relying on it.
What to expect
- Live online
- 30- to 45-minute conversation
- Moderated audience Q&A
- Recording sent to all registrants
Guest speaker
Simon Reay Atkinson
Simon Reay Atkinson works at the intersection of complex systems research and applied practice. He is an Adjunct Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Sydney’s Centre for International Security Studies, a Captain in the Royal Australian Navy Reserves where he serves as Principal Researcher, and a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology.
His PhD from the University of Cambridge examined adaptation and fitness in complex adaptive systems across cyber, political, security, and economic domains. This work built on an earlier Master of Philosophy, also from University of Cambridge in International Relations, Law and Economics, and an earlier undergraduate degree in engineering. He has described his approach as bringing engineering and social science lenses together, with an emphasis on the practical re-use of research.
Who should attend
- Government data managers, Chief Data Officers, and policy teams
- Data and IT teams at research institutions
- NGOs working with open or public-interest data
- Academic and public sector data practitioners
Anyone working on or thinking about data sovereignty
Register to attend
Recording will be sent to all registrants.
Frequently asked questions
Why "The Honest Series"?
Many webinars in this space are product pitches dressed as discussion. This series is not. Each session will involve a candid conversation on what works and what doesn’t and what you need to think about next.
Is this session live?
Yes.
What if I cannot make it live?
We will share the recording within 24-48 hours.
Will I receive the recording?
Yes, you will receive the recording; you just have to register.
Who is this for?
It is for data managers in government, research institutions, NGOs, and academia who are responsible for open data and decision-making and the technology that underpins this work.
