Society Seminar Series

APPLIED SYSTEM DYNAMICS FOR STUDENTS AND BEGINNERS

March 24, 2021

Andries Botha & Nalini Pillay

Several guidelines on the System Dynamics modeling process are found in the literature. While these are rigorous, we have experienced challenges in the use of these existing guidelines in practice, especially where implementation based on the modeling results is critical. In this seminar, we will take you through an integrated system dynamics modeling process which is based on the customized process followed by Eskom SOC with specific elements from the Sustainable Development Programme at Stellenbosch University and Dynamic Strategies. We will also cover the do’s and don’ts when it comes to validation and calibration.

GROUP MODEL BUILDING ONLINE: EXPERIENCES AND INSIGHTS

March 10, 2021

Anaely Aguiar | Birgit Kopainsky | Brooke Wilkerson | Christina Gkini | Lars-Kristian Trellevik

When COVID-19 hit almost a year ago, we, a group of researchers at the University of Bergen in Norway, decided to take the leap and run a planned in-person Group Model Building workshop online on fairly short notice. Encouraged by the positive outcomes of this initial event, we have since experimented with several more online activities. In this seminar, we will share our experiences so far, demonstrate some of the online tools and templates that we have been developing, and exchange tips and tricks with seminar participants. 

LOCAL LEVEL COVID MODELS: BRINGING YOUTH TO THE TABLE

February 10, 2021

Kim Warren | Maurice Glucksman | Farrah Farnejad | Quinn Kennedy | Harshita Magroria | Brahmani Nutakki 

This webinar describes an accessible COVID model that can be readily localized to any specific area – large or small. It will describe unique findings – generated by young people with no prior experience – for Delhi, distinct parts of Mumbai, London, and New York/Bronx. It will conclude with wider implications for localizing System Dynamics models and for youth-engagement.

Download Presentation | Free Course | Q&A

MODELING COVID-19: A PANEL DISCUSSION

ONLINE, December 22nd, 11 am New York

Mohammad Jalali (Harvard University) moderates a panel discussion session with Q&As providing a big picture overview of Covid-19 modelling activities taking place in different modelling communities while exploring the question of what makes a Covid-19 model useful with panellists Jeroen Struben (emylon business school), Hazhir Rahmandad (MIT Sloan), Jack Homer (Homer Consulting), and Navid Ghaffarzadegan (Virginia Tech).

MOVING THE SYSTEMS THINKING PLAYBOOK GAMES ONLINE

ONLINE, Thursday, November 12th, 11am New York, 4pm London, Friday, November 13th, 12am Beijing

The author of The Systems Thinking Playbook and The Climate Change Playbook, Linda Booth Sweeney, shares how she has adapted their short gaming exercises that illustrate the subtleties of systems thinking to a new online world.  Participants will also be asked to share their methods for bringing them online.

Managing tourism-driven growth and waste generation: the case of the Maldives

Wednesday, October 28th, 12pm

by Florian Kapmeier and Paolo Goncalves

Florian and Paulo analyze the tension that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face between economic growth and environmental impact. Their case example is the beautiful, paradise-like Maldives, which seeks to double the existing hotel capacity within only 6 years. Florian and Paulo assess the tension between tourism-driven economic growth and environmental degradation from a limits-to-growth perspective. The model is calibrated to 38 years of data from the Maldives to estimate parameters and Monte-Carlo methods are used to assess the sensitivity of results to uncertainty. They contrast development paths for the next three decades under three sets of policies focusing on promoting growth, managing tourism demand–supply balance, and improving waste management. Findings are counterintuitive. 

THE BEER GAME

Thursday, August 6, 2020

by John Sterman (MIT) and Michael Bean (Forio)

This quintessential board game is now available online in a format that allows multi-player use just like in the classroom.  See how it works!

Society Members may view the recorded session!