Who we are at the School

Our Mission

In a world on the brink of collapse, changing so fast and yet in many ways not fast enough, we need broad and deep systems change. The School of System Change exists to nurture the work of leaders and changemakers who are embracing complexity and bringing about hopeful futures.

We create pathways from overwhelm to agency.

Our uniqueness

The School of System Change is unique in our multi-method approach to learning, recognising there is no one way to create change but a wealth of tools and frameworks to choose from. Explore our 2023 courses for a flavour of the learning journeys we offer.

Discernment is a key capacity for our times.

Our inspiring contributors and talented facilitators from across the field of systems change share a passion for supporting people to navigate different ways of thinking, acting and being as we develop our collective capacity for transformation. Together, we contribute to evolving the field and practices of systems change.

Our people

Since 2016, the School of System Change has supported 500+ leaders and changemakers from the worlds of business, not-for-profit, social enterprise, government, funding, movement organising, consultancy and the arts to integrate systems change into their work. We engage with people working within their contexts - as professionals in organisations, networks, sectors and movements. 

Ongoing work to shift paradigms needs sustained cultures and structures of collective learning in context.

From the outset, we have partnered with organisations, networks, funders and practitioners to develop the School and broaden our impact. We have a small and committed enabling team of people who all play multiple roles, walking the talk of more systemic ways of organising!

Our enabling team is based in the UK, France, Germany, the US, and occasionally New Zealand:

Anna Birney

CEO (Chief Enabling/Evolving Officer) at School of System Change

Anna is passionate about designing and facilitating systems change programmes that supp...

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Sarena Chan

Partnership and Programs Lead at the School of System Change

Sarena leads on partnership and program development at the School of the System Change ...

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Saskia Rysenbry

Curator at the School of System Change

Saskia is a designer, strategist, thinker and guide working toward just and equitable f...

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Jasmine Castledine

Operations & Development Designer; Producer at the School of System Change

Jasmine is passionate about using creative thinking and education to drive social chang...

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Raphaël Lachiver

Programme Producer at the School of System Change

Raphaël is an enthusiastic learner passionate about sociology, regenerative design, sys...

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Mairi Lowe

Creative Director at Sustainable Fashion Scotland; Communications Consultant at School of System Change

Mairi (she/they) is a Scottish Content Marketer, Systems Practitioner, and MSc Social I...

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Sean Andrew

Host and Learning and practice partner at the School of System Change and Forum for the Future

Sean is brought into his work through the potential of dialogue and unearthing ways of ...

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aerial view river class school system change teacher

Learn to diagnose complex systems with Basecamp

Learn to embrace the toughest challenges of our times: build the foundations of your systems practice with Basecamp.

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