About Recursive Systems Labs

Recursive Systems Labs (RSL) is an independent research and engineering lab focused on the study of complex systems, particularly where theory, computation, and human judgment intersect.

Our work spans foundational research, applied software, and governance-oriented system design. We are especially concerned with how advanced technical frameworks behave when placed inside real human, clinical, or institutional contexts.

Our Orientation

Recursive Systems Labs is guided by three core orientations:

  • Understanding before deployment
  • Governance before scale
  • Human judgment before automation

We prioritize systems that remain interpretable, accountable, and bounded, especially under uncertainty or stress.

Research Focus

RSL conducts and supports research across several domains, including:

  • Complex systems and coherence dynamics
  • Theoretical frameworks for identity, stability, and recursion
  • Diagnostic and sense-making approaches in cognitive and clinical contexts
  • The interaction between advanced computation and human decision-making

A central body of work hosted by RSL is the ODTBT research corpus, which explores recursive structure, coherence, and stability across physical and informational systems.

Software & Applied Work

In addition to research, RSL develops carefully scoped software systems that translate theory into practice without collapsing ethical boundaries.

These systems are designed to:

  • Support professional training and reflection
  • Preserve human agency
  • Avoid extractive or surveillance-driven models

Our first applied project is EMA (Electronic Mental Health Application), a clinician-centered platform built specifically for solo practitioners, early-career therapists, supervisors, and training programs. Developed under the Ruha brand, EMA exists to reduce administrative burden, support ethical practice, and preserve clinician autonomy, embodying RSL's governance principles in production clinical software.

Software projects are released incrementally, with public documentation and governance in place before broader use.

Governance as a Design Surface

RSL treats governance as a first-class engineering concern.

Rather than relying on ad hoc review or informal norms, we publish explicit commitments that define:

  • What we build
  • What we do not build
  • How dual-use risks are handled
  • When ethical review is engaged

These commitments are visible and enforceable across research and software efforts.

Independence & Collaboration

Recursive Systems Labs operates independently.

We collaborate selectively with researchers, clinicians, and institutions where alignment exists around:

  • restraint,
  • transparency,
  • and long-term responsibility.

We do not pursue growth for its own sake.

Contact

For research inquiries, collaboration questions, or general correspondence:

[email protected]