University of York awarded contract by Engineering X to support initial work on designing, managing and governing safer complex systems across the globe

News | Posted on Friday 3 April 2020

Every day across the world people depend upon complex systems for their everyday lives: healthcare, transportation, and the built environment they live and work in. These systems are evolving rapidly through developments in technology. But such progress can run ahead of the necessary changes to the structures and governance around the systems themselves that will ensure their safety.

The University of York has been commissioned to undertake an initial review of safety in the design, management and governance of complex systems. The review forms a key part of a new five-year programme, Safer Complex Systems, a strand of Engineering X – a new international collaboration, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Lloyd’s Register Foundation, that brings together some of the world’s leading problem-solvers to address the great challenges of our age.

This review will develop conceptual clarity; identify methods for the design, management and governance of complex systems; and outline emerging challenges and opportunities with regard to the safety of complex systems.

“This work is an important step in developing a common way to communicate about the safety of complex systems in order to collaborate across sectors and between different levels of expertise globally,” said Professor John McDermid OBE FREng, who is leading this work at the University of York.

“We will be developing an initial framework that enables this standard way of communicating, as well as identifying existing methods used for the design, management and governance of complex systems, and emerging challenges and opportunities with regards to their safety.”

Dame Judith Hackitt DBE FREng, Chair of the Safer Complex Systems Programme Board, said: “We are delighted to be working with the University of York on this important first part of our Safer Complex Systems Programme. Their expertise in the safety of complex systems spans three decades and numerous sectors. They will bring together different disciplines and industries and help us to establish the best way to increase global safety in the design, management and governance of complex systems.”

The University of York study will include findings from a stakeholder workshop, informal meetings, and an online questionnaire. The study will consider the published literature on complexity, safety engineering and management, and analyse reports on accidents and incidents with complex systems. From this, an initial framework will be developed for the design, management and governance of complex systems. The University of York’s report will be finalised in July 2020. The report will include recommendations for future work and will be the first step towards publishing a final Global Foresight Review on the Safety of Complex Systems.

The group working on this project is led by the University of York and includes:

  • Professor John McDermid - Director, Assuring Autonomy International Programme, University of York
  • Dr Simon Burton - Director Vehicle Systems Safety, Robert Bosch GmbH
  • Dr Philip Garnett - Lecturer of Operations Management and Business Analytics, School for Business and Society, University of York
  • Dr Rob Weaver - Global Aviation and Safety Advisor

Notes to editors:

Engineering X and the Safer Complex Systems Programme

Engineering X is a new international collaboration, founded by the Royal Academy of Engineering and Lloyd’s Register Foundation, that brings together some of the world’s leading problem-solvers to address the great challenges of our age. Our global network of expert engineers, academics and business leaders is working to share best practice, explore new technologies, educate and train the next generation of engineers, build capacity, improve safety and deliver impact. 

Engineering X has launched a five-year programme, Safer Complex Systems, to increase safety in the design, management and governance of complex systems. The programme seeks to achieve this by developing and implementing practical solutions and by supporting the most impactful interventions where they are most needed, globally.

The Safer Complex Systems Programme objectives are:

  • To deliver innovative, practical solutions that increase safety in the design, management and governance of complex systems globally
  • To build a diverse, global complex systems community
  • To engage and influence key stakeholder groups, including members of the public, to empower them to make complex systems safer

Royal Academy of Engineering

Royal Academy of Engineering is harnessing the power of engineering to build a sustainable society and an inclusive economy that works for everyone.

In collaboration with its Fellows and partners, the Academy is working to tackle the greatest challenges of our age by growing talent and developing skills for the future, driving innovation and building global partnerships, and influencing policy and engaging the public.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation

Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent global charity with a unique structure and an important mission: engineering a safer world. We reduce risk and enhance the safety of the critical infrastructure that modern society relies upon in areas such as energy, transport, and food.

Our vision is to be known worldwide as a leading supporter of engineering-related research, training and education that makes a real difference in improving the safety of the critical infrastructure on which modern society relies. In support of this, we promote scientific excellence and act as a catalyst working with others to achieve maximum impact. We meet our aims by awarding grants, by direct activity, and through the societal benefit activities of our trading group, which shares our mission. Through our grantmaking, we aim to connect science, safety and society by supporting research of the highest quality and promoting skills and education.