World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)

World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC)

1. 11th World Congress - in memorium: Professor Frank George (UK)

The 11th International Congress of Cybernetics and Systems dedicated to the memory of the late Professor Frank H. George was held at Brunel University,Uxbridge, West London, UK, 23-27 August 1999.

The Frank H. George Research Award was presented.

Details of the congress proceedings and a report of its activities will be published in later issues of this journal.

2. University of Cambridge Award

The Director-General of the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics,Professor Robert VallÅe, has been informed that a prize is to be awarded annually at Sidney Sussex College University of Cambridge, UK. The prize is established in Professor Frank George's name. The contributions of the late Professor George to science and in particular to Cybernetics, have been recorded in this journal (Elstob, M. (1998), "Frank George - a personal appreciation", Kybernetes,Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 23-5).

He was a former Director of WOSC and an Associate Editor of this journal from its foundation. We are particularly pleased that he will be remembered and honoured in this way. The prize citation reads:

The Frank George Prize may be awarded each year to the student, who in the opinion of the Tutors, has shown the most distinction, obtaining First Class Honours, in Part II of either of the Natural Sciences (Experimental Psychology or Neuroscience), or of Computer Sciences, Engineering, Electrical and Information Sciences, or Social and Political Sciences Triposes, with preference given to those students showing particular distinction in areas of the relevant Tripos relating to "Control systems".

3. Publishing research into the millennium

A discussion paper presented at the WOSC Congress, August 1999, by the Norbert Wiener Institute of the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics initiates a debate on this important topic. It raises the following points(published here in abridged form):

• 1.

  Preface. Publishing research into the millennium provides great challenges. A discussion by researchers, journal and Internet contributors with the publishers, editors and peer reviewers of their work reveals the nature of the problems of communicating information about research and development initiatives into the twenty-first century.

• 2.

  Introduction. As the millennium approaches researchers concerned with cybernetics and systems need to discuss some of the many controversial issues that now dominate the scientific publishing world. On the one hand scientists have never been under such pressure to publish their researches, but on the other, more and more journals are being produced under severe financial constraints. The advent of Internet publishing, the interactive information database are but two examples of the impact of technological progress on our means of communicating and interacting with information.

• 3.

  Challenges of the millennium. What needs to be considered at the threshold of the new millennium is the balance that has to be maintained between a sound marketing strategy and the publication and presentation of good science.

  Communication between scientists in all fields is regarded as an essential ingredient for progress, especially in multidisciplinary fields.

  It is apparent that the specialist journal is being replaced in many of its activities by newer and more advanced technological communications. In this scenario we need to consider whether there is still a place for the printed specialised journal, and the role it should play in the coming century. We see a changing environment for research and development in the sciences which is responding to what is now commonly described as the information revolution and the creation of the Information Society. We, the producers of research and development information, need to address the challenges of the Information Society at all its levels. Has, for example, the much respected scientific journal evolved into an information resource? As such, how will we arrange for information to become accessible and disseminated? Communicating the ever increasing results of research and practice has become one of the major challenges we must address.

• 4.

  Selection, review and publication. The way in which we disseminate our research and development information will reflect the advances in technology as they occur and as they are implemented in a marketable form. Technology may assist in both the selection and review of submitted contributions and ease the burdens of both editors and peer reviewers but the task of evaluation and making the decision to publish, in whatever media, will remain. This process is the most difficult and the least rewarding of the functions of both publisher and editorial board. This is clearly evident in the selection, review and publication of the specialised papers and articles produced in the multidisciplinary fields of systems and cybernetics.

• 5.

  Current practice in the official journal Kybernetes. Details of Kybernetes online - an advanced information resource are provided in all issues of the current volume of the journal. More information is available at http://www.mcb.co.uk/k.htm

  What is important to note is that subscribers to this journal benefit from access to a fully searcheable information resource that stretches far beyond the issue of the current volume. It is in fact part of a comprehensive multiple access information service which is a true realisation of the research and development of cybernetic and systemic thought in the communication of information on a global network.

  All organisations and institutions associated with WOSC now have the opportunity of participating in the online system and individuals may apply for a personal subscription at a reduced price. For information contact caplin@mcb.co.uk

• 6.

  Information about WOSC. Information about the World Organisation of Systems and Cybernetics (WOSC) can be obtained from the Website: http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/AlexAndrew/wosc.htmMail address: WOSC Secretariat, 2 rue de Vouille, 75015, Paris, France. Tel/Fax:+33 1 45 33 62 46; E-mail: AlexAndrew@ompuserve.com