Systemic Research Forum

An International Interdisciplinary Platform for Systemic Inquiry, Research and Practice

The Systemic Research Forum (SRF), established by the Institute of Family Therapy & Systemic Practice (IFT-Malta), is an international interdisciplinary platform dedicated to advancing systemic knowledge through research, professional dialogue, and collaborative inquiry. The Forum brings together researchers, practitioners, educators, Master’s and Doctorate students, organisational leaders and policy makers who share an interest in understanding and responding to the complexity of human systems.

Grounded in systemic, relational and constructivist epistemologies, the Forum recognises that contemporary social challenges cannot be adequately understood through linear, reductionist or discipline-specific approaches. Instead, it promotes inquiry that acknowledges the dynamic relationships between individuals, families, organisations, communities and wider socio-political contexts. The Forum therefore serves as a meeting place where multiple professional perspectives are welcomed and integrated through dialogue, reflexivity and critical engagement.

The Forum extends beyond the traditional boundaries of family therapy and psychotherapy. While systemic practice remains its conceptual foundation, the SRF actively encourages contributions from a broad range of disciplines, including healthcare, education, psychology, social work, organisational development, leadership studies, public policy, sustainability, artificial intelligence, technological innovation, law, criminology, community development and the social sciences. This interdisciplinary orientation reflects the belief that systemic thinking offers a powerful framework for understanding complexity across diverse fields of practice.

Central to the Forum is the conviction that research is not merely the production of evidence but an ongoing relational process of inquiry. Participants are encouraged to explore questions emerging from professional practice, organisational life and lived experience, recognising that knowledge is co-created through dialogue rather than discovered as objective truth. The Forum therefore values methodological diversity, welcoming qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, participatory, action-based and practice-based research designs, provided they contribute meaningfully to systemic understanding.

The Systemic Research Forum seeks to cultivate an international community of reflective scholars and practitioners who are committed to generating knowledge that is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. Through keynote lectures, research presentations, poster sessions, workshops, signature research conversations and collaborative discussion groups, participants engage in critical examination of contemporary issues while supporting one another in the development of innovative research projects.

Beyond the annual meeting, the Forum aims to foster sustained international collaboration through research networks, interdisciplinary partnerships and publication opportunities. Contributors are encouraged not only to disseminate completed research but also to present emerging ideas, conceptual developments and work in progress, creating opportunities for constructive dialogue and scholarly refinement. In doing so, the Forum supports the development of research that has tangible implications for professional practice, organisational development and social policy.

The Systemic Research Forum is particularly committed to promoting research that addresses the complex challenges facing contemporary societies. Themes may include, but are not limited to, mental health, family relationships, organisational resilience, leadership, healthcare systems, education, social justice, migration, environmental sustainability, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, community wellbeing and public policy. Across all themes, participants are invited to examine how relational processes shape both problems and possibilities for change.

Ultimately, the Forum seeks to strengthen the international systemic community by creating a vibrant intellectual environment in which curiosity, critical reflection and collaborative learning can flourish. By bringing together diverse voices from different disciplines, cultures and professional traditions, the Systemic Research Forum contributes to the ongoing evolution of systemic theory, research and practice, while promoting knowledge that responds creatively and ethically to the complexity of an interconnected world.

Vision

IFT-Malta wants the Systemic Research Forum to become a leading international forum for systemic research that advances relational, interdisciplinary and practice-informed knowledge capable of addressing the complex challenges of contemporary society.

Mission

The Systemic Research Forum provides a collaborative platform where researchers, practitioners and organisations engage in critical dialogue, develop innovative research, and promote systemic approaches that contribute to professional practice, organisational development and social transformation.

Core Values

• Systemic Thinking – understanding phenomena through patterns of relationship, context and interaction.
• Interdisciplinarity – integrating perspectives across professions and academic disciplines.
• Reflexivity – encouraging critical awareness of the researcher’s position and influence.
• Dialogue – creating knowledge through respectful scholarly conversation.
• Innovation – supporting creative responses to emerging social and organisational challenges.
• Collaboration – fostering international research partnerships and communities of practice.
• Social Responsibility – promoting research that contributes to the wellbeing of individuals, organisations and society.