dialogue

dialogue

Problematique Dialogue 2026 Banathy Conversation

Date:

Monday, May 11, 2026 - 08:30 to Friday, May 15, 2026 - 15:00

Location:

OCAD University, School of Graduate Studies, 205 Richmond St W, Toronto ON

sLab people:

Community members:

Tags:

Banathy Conversation Method

problematique

Problematique Dialogue was an intensive, five-day experience to learn, apply, & adapt the Banathy Conversation Methodology for generative dialogue, toward greater understanding & positive change in the face of proliferating, interconnected, wicked problems and opportunities. The gathering was planned, co-designed, and attended by thirty-five leaders and learners from across our regional community of systems thinkers and systemic designers, in an intentional continuation of traditions first developed amongst systems researchers, five decades ago.

“A set of two or more interdependent problems constitutes a system. The French call such a system a problématique; for lack of a corresponding word in English, I call it a mess.... If planning involved only independent problems — it would be nothing but multiple problem solving.”
—Russell Ackoff, 1982, Our Changing Concept of Planning

The event took place May 10–15, 2026, hosted by OCAD University’s School of Graduate Studies in Toronto, Canada. Details and perspectives from the event are currently in preparation, including Proceedings. For additional materials, please revisit, and inquire with the organizers.

Evolving event site: problematiquedialogue.org

Read more about Problematique Dialogue 2026 Banathy Conversation

Design Research & Generative Conversation: Dean Noel’s Address to Problematique Dialogue 2026

Lesley-Ann Noel, our distinguished Dean of Design, shared thoughts & critical perspectives in this warm welcome to attendees. “Welcome to Problematique Dialogue 2026….I want to begin by acknowledging sLab for their care, intellectual leadership, & sustained commitment…What you’ll be participating in over the next few days is not a typical academic event, & that distinction matters”…Read Dean Noel’s Address

Lesley-Ann Noel, Dean of the Faculty of Design, OCAD University

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Problematique Dialogue, May 10-15, 2026

The first Problematique Dialogue, applying the Banathy Conversation Method, was convened as a five-day immersive in-person event, May 10-15, 2026. In anticipation of published proceedings, and plans for a subsequent annual event… Continue

Collage, GVA, based on Bees Flying Infinity pattern by Stephanie J Graves

Tags:

Banathy Conversation Method

participation

Systemic Design

Research highlights

Synthesis Maps | Gigamaps

Large-scale information maps relevant to complex problem areas selected by Systemic Design students in OCAD University's SFI MDes program

Systemic Design Association

Advancing systemic design: the integrative practice & theory of visualizing, designing & governing diverse socio-technical systems

Economic Futures for Ontario 2032

An Ontarian-centred foresight project investigating divergent, future economic prospects through our needs & wants, behaviours, cultures & expectations, now through 2032.

Design Emergence Media Organization (DEMO)

DEMO Publishing presents new genres and formats of interdisciplinary design and media theory and practice

Main menu

Problematique Dialogue 2026 Banathy Conversation

Evolving event site: problematiquedialogue.org

Design Research & Generative Conversation: Dean Noel’s Address to Problematique Dialogue 2026

Problematique Dialogue, May 10-15, 2026

Research highlights