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The Society Seminar Series consists of periodic online meetings on topics of interest to the systems thinking and System Dynamics communities. These virtual activities cover a wide range of topics that cross many domains while bringing together academics, practitioners, and students together for learning and lively discussion. Our seminars aim to promote and improve skills to effectively apply systems thinking and dynamic computer simulation to private and public sector challenges.
All seminars and recordings are free for members. For some seminars, the general public is welcome to join for a nominal fee. Join now for free access.
upcoming SEMINARS
Working with Loops That Matter: Technique and tools for analyzing feedback loops
System Dynamics SocietyIn this hands-on webinar, we'll work together to analyze System Dynamics models and learn how to discover which feedback loops are driving model behavior. We'll use the Loops that Matter […]
PAST SEMINARS
INTRODUCTION TO SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELING: THE APARTMENT INDUSTRY
October 20, 2021
With Leonard (Len) Malczynski
In this seminar, you will be able to build your own System Dynamics model! This will be a small, quantitative model of the classic apartment vacancy/build cycle. Read the problem statement.
Sponsored by Powersim Software
*Studio is only available for Windows
In this webinar, you will:
• Build a small quantitative System Dynamics model
• Use Studio by Powersim software for very basic quantitative modeling
• Familiarise yourself with the System Dynamics modeling process
• Learn how System Dynamics can be used for policy development
Can You Fix the American Health Care System? ReThink Health Dynamics
October 06, 2021
With Rebecca Niles
Experience first hand the ReThink Health Dynamics Model used by Dartmouth, Brown, MIT, Atlanta, San Diego, Cincinnati, and many other universities and communities throughout the United States. Thousands have come together to explore how they might steward regional resources to achieve the Triple Aim (improve health, cut costs, and quality of care) and beyond (equity and worker productivity).
In this webinar, you will:
• Learn how this System Dynamics simulation model has been used to create change,
• Converge on a sound strategy for achieving the Triple Aim, and
• Get a chance to test drive the simulation yourself in an experience much as the one had by real communities doing real work
HOUSING DYNAMICS
September 01, 2021
With David Peter Stroh, Martijn Eskinasi, and Kaveh Dianati
Special seminar on Housing System Dynamics. Housing dynamics are complex and volatile, it involves prices, housing supply, and economic aspects. Housing affordability has been declining in most of the world’s big cities. Join three expert panelists for an insightful discussion.
INTRODUCTION TO MODELING PROCESS
August 18, 2021
With Nici Zimmermann
Hands-on seminar!
Download Vensim PLE – free System Dynamics modeling software
In this webinar, you will:
• Build your very first quantitative System Dynamics model
• Use Vensim software for very basic quantitative modeling
• Familiarise yourself with the System Dynamics modeling process
• Learn how System Dynamics can be used for policy development
Sponsored by Ventana Systems
SYSTEM DYNAMICS FOR CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION
July 07, 2021
With Juliette Rooney-Varga, Carolyn McCarthy, Sibel Eker, and Steve Arquitt
We discussed how System Dynamics models support decision-making, stakeholder, and public engagement for climate change and sustainability problems. We reflected on existing models and tools, such as Climate Interactive’s En-ROADS and Millennium Institute’s iSDG tool, and their use cases. We also discussed how the Climate Change Initiative at UMass Lowell uses System Dynamics tools to raise awareness on climate change.
TOP 10 TIPS TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH A SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODEL
June 16, 2021
Andrew Jones – Climate Interactive
Andrew (Drew) Jones is Co-Founder and Co-Director of Climate Interactive. An expert on international climate and energy issues, his quotes and data stories appear in the New York Times. Jones and his team at Climate Interactive and MIT Sloan developed the climate simulations used by John Kerry and others to secure the 2014 bi-lateral U.S.-China deal that set up the Paris Agreement, as well as currently in the White House and Congress.
In this webinar, he shares his 10 tips to engage an audience with a System Dynamics Model.
BIOMEDICAL SYSTEM DYNAMICS MODELING
June 09, 2021
In this Seminar, authors present their work published on the special issue of the System Dynamics Review on Biomedical Modeling. The special issue brings together new research that explores a fascinating array of biomedical problems, from the modeling of pharmacokinetics, hematologic disorders, and blood cell production to chronic disease progression at an aggregate level. System Dynamics health modelers engage with interdisciplinary teams of medical and policy experts in order to explore exciting new biomedical research opportunities.
RESPONDING TO THE EXPONENTIAL DEMAND FOR SYSTEMS THINKING
May 05, 2021
Scott Spann & Kell Delaney
The “demand” for systems thinking has never been greater. Period. And it’s growing. Exponentially. Yet, our ability to meaningfully recognize and respond to that demand comes nowhere near closing such a critical gap – a gap that simply must be closed – especially now. Much like other “causal” systems, there are reasons for (and solutions to) this one – reasons quite familiar even to VCs in Silicon Valley – reasons that can be understood – and solutions that can be internalized and put into practice to bridge the gap
THE EFFECT OF INSTITUTIONAL QUALITY ON ECONOMIC GROWTH
April 21, 2021
Aman Ullah | Ivan Taylor
The purpose of this webinar is to present a macroeconomic framework that identifies the structure of institutional quality in developing countries and their linkages to economic growth and income distribution. The objective is to identify leverage points related to institutional quality that can be addressed and thereby, help to optimize policy options that enhance and sustain economic growth.
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
The COVID 19 Localisation Modelling GroupKim 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
by Linda Booth SweeneyThe 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.
FISH BANKS
Thursday, October 29th from 10am – 1pm EST
by Jason Jay, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Sustainability Initiative at the MIT Sloan School of Management
Join us online to experience this classic web-based simulation developed by Dennis Meadows. Participants in this participatory game will manage their own fishing companies as they compete with others to achieve a profitable venture. Together team players will strategize about buying and selling ships, where to fish, how best to manage fleets without depleting fish stocks all while in competition with neighboring teams.
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.
TELLING STORIES TO SPARK CHANGE
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
by David Hutchens
The author of Tip of the Iceberg will share some key insights around organizational storytelling – content brought to the likes of Harvard Business Review, L’Oreal, Accenture, and Paypal.
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!