Congratulations to GSEJ PhD candidate Layne Robinson on recently delivering a TEDx talk exploring why even well-designed systems often fail to achieve their intended outcomes. An important contribution to the conversation on systems thinking and real-world impact.
In the talk, Robinson examines how poor information flow, misaligned incentives, and communication gaps can undermine systems across policy, education, health, and social development. He argues that stronger information design, transparency, and feedback loops are essential to building systems that function effectively and serve people reliably.
Robinson is a global strategist and advisor with nearly 20 years of international leadership experience spanning more than 85 countries, including his former role as Head of Social Policy at the Commonwealth Secretariat. His current doctoral research focuses on artificial intelligence and social policy, exploring how emerging technologies can support inclusive development while protecting human dignity.
He is also the creator of The Distortion Effect, a framework examining how modern information systems shape truth, power, and decision-making.
Robinson is currently conducting his PhD research in social policy under the supervision of Dr. Vince Miller and Prof Joy Zhang.
The recording is free to watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1VIY3csAmo