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Book Signing & Book Swap at ISDC 2023
Book Signing & Book Swap at ISDC 2023
Learn about their books directly from the authors!
Don’t miss out! Several book authors will join us at the Book Signing event at ISDC 2023. This event will be held live at the conference in Chicago, on Tuesday, July 25 at 12:15 pm CDT.
If you are an author of books related to System Dynamics or systems thinking, join us at the event!
Buy, sell, and exchange books
Do you have System Dynamics books that are accumulating dust on your shelf? Might other academics and practitioners in the field be interested in reading them?
Conference attendees are welcome to bring their new and used books to buy, sell, and exchange during this Book Swap event at ISDC.
Free shipping on Society books and games to pick up at ISDC
During the month of June, we’ll be providing free shipping coupons for LIVE conference attendees.
Pick up your products* at ISDC during the Book Signing & Book Swap event.
*Promotion only applies to the following specific Society publications, games, and replacement parts for games. Coupon code must be applied at checkout.
GAMES
- The Beer Game Complete Set
- Please note that the Beer Game comes in a long box (30 x 6 x 6 inches) that won’t fit in a carry-on bag and may not easily fit in checked luggage
- Fish Banks Ltd
- Beer Game Board & Game Pieces
- Beer Game Board Only
- Beer Game Chips
- Beer Game Customer Order Cards
- Beer Game Order Slips
- Fish Banks Replacement Boats
- Fish Banks Game Box
BOOKS
Members get a 10% discount on all Society publications. Join now!
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Upcoming Events
6th Annual System Dynamics Competition by the South Africa System Dynamics Chapter
System Dynamics Competition CORRECT TIME: 2 PM CENTRAL EUROPE The System Dynamics Society’s South Africa Chapter is hosting a System Dynamics Competition that offers participants the opportunity to learn new modeling skills directly from experts, collaborate...
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Join us
6th Annual System Dynamics Competition by the South Africa System Dynamics Chapter
System Dynamics Competition
CORRECT TIME: 2 PM CENTRAL EUROPE
The System Dynamics Society’s South Africa Chapter is hosting a System Dynamics Competition that offers participants the opportunity to learn new modeling skills directly from experts, collaborate with others, and win prizes! The competition is suitable for beginners, whether or not they have experience.
System dynamics is increasingly essential as humanity faces increasingly complex challenges. System dynamics integrates various fields through systems thinking and mathematical computer-based simulations, improving decision-making and forging systemic solutions rather than symptomatic fixes.
This year’s competition is unique in that participants will receive a small, working simulation and will expand its structure to derive non-intuitive insights. The competition will run for three weeks, with meetings on Saturdays. There are three streams to choose from, and participants can join one, two, or all three:
- Fishery Industry – Exploring Fish Banks (15 April to 6 May 2023)
- Ecological Diversity – Predator-Prey (10 June to 1 July 2023)
- Pollution in Hydrological Systems – Streamco-Flows (12 August to 2 September 2023)
At the end of each stream, judges will award a prize, and an overall prize will be awarded at the end of the competition. We encourage all interested parties to join the competition, expand their modeling skills, and contribute to advancing the field of system dynamics.
2023 Cornell University International Systems Thinking Conference
This conference is for novices and experts alike, and there is no charge for attendance. A wide range of topics will be covered, from complexity to leadership to sustainability, among others.
If you cannot make the conference live, sign up and you will be sent recordings of the talks after the conference has concluded. Please feel free to let others know about the conference on social media. There are suggested captions and images available here for you to post.
For more information visit: blogs.cornell.edu/systemsthinking/2023-conference/
MIT System Dynamics Seminar | Complex Contagions and the Hidden Influence of the Network Periphery
Please visit the MIT System Dynamics Seminars page for more information.
You are invited to attend the System Dynamics Seminar being held on Friday, April 21st from 12:30-2:00pm EST in the Jay W. Forrester conference room, E62-450, or via Zoom: https://mit.zoom.us/j/99908059742 (Password: SDSP23). Our guest speaker will be Douglas Guilbeault (Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley) presenting Complex Contagions and the Hidden Influence of the Network Periphery (see abstract and brief bio below, announcement attached). Lunch will be provided to those attending in person and a reminder email will be sent out closer to the date.
If you would also like to schedule a 30-minute 1:1 meeting with him before or after the seminar, please fill out the following Doodle poll by COB Tuesday, April 18th and I will confirm times and location with a calendar invite: https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/boZ0Rxja. Please notify me if you need to meet over Zoom instead.
Abstract
The standard measure of distance in social networks – average shortest path length – assumes a model of “simple” contagion, in which people only need exposure to influence from one peer to adopt the contagion. However, many social phenomena are “complex” contagions, for which people need exposure to multiple peers before they adopt. In this talk, I argue that the classical measure of path length fails to define network connectedness and node centrality for complex contagions. I provide theoretical and empirical evidence that centrality measures and seeding strategies based on the classical definition of path length frequently misidentify the network features that are most effective for spreading complex contagions. To address these issues, I introduce novel measures of complex path length and complex centrality, which significantly improve the capacity to identify the network structures and central individuals best suited for spreading complex contagions. I validate this theory using empirical data on the spread of a microfinance program in 43 rural Indian villages. Implications for human cultural evolution are discussed.
About the Presenter
Douglas Guilbeault is an Assistant Professor in the Management of Organizations Group at the Haas School of Business. He studies how communication networks underlie the creation and diffusion of cultural content, such as linguistic categories and social norms. This investigation extends to how communication dynamics are shaped by various sources of influence, such as organizational culture and social media. His work has appeared in a number of top journals, including Nature Communications, The Proceedings of the National Academy of the Sciences, and Management Science, as well as in popular news outlets, such as The Atlantic, Wired, and The Harvard Business Review. Guilbeault’s work has received top research awards from The International Conference on Computational Social Science, The Cognitive Science Society, and The International Communication Association. He is co-director of the Berkeley-Stanford Computational Culture Lab, and he is a faculty affiliate of the Berkeley Institute for Data Science. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, where he trained with sociologist Damon Centola in the Network Dynamics Group.
6th Annual System Dynamics Competition by the South Africa System Dynamics Chapter
System Dynamics Competition
The System Dynamics Society’s South Africa Chapter is hosting a System Dynamics Competition that offers participants the opportunity to learn new modeling skills directly from experts, collaborate with others, and win prizes! The competition is suitable for beginners, whether or not they have experience.
System dynamics is increasingly essential as humanity faces increasingly complex challenges. System dynamics integrates various fields through systems thinking and mathematical computer-based simulations, improving decision-making and forging systemic solutions rather than symptomatic fixes.
This year’s competition is unique in that participants will receive a small, working simulation and will expand its structure to derive non-intuitive insights. The competition will run for three weeks, with meetings on Saturdays. There are three streams to choose from, and participants can join one, two, or all three:
- Fishery Industry – Exploring Fish Banks (15 April to 6 May 2023)
- Ecological Diversity – Predator-Prey (10 June to 1 July 2023)
- Pollution in Hydrological Systems – Streamco-Flows (12 August to 2 September 2023)
At the end of each stream, judges will award a prize, and an overall prize will be awarded at the end of the competition. We encourage all interested parties to join the competition, expand their modeling skills, and contribute to advancing the field of system dynamics.
Digital Twin Business Models for Strategy and Operational Management
Digital Twin Business Models for Strategy and Operational Management
In the business field, dynamic models have long been used for simulating long-term plans (3+ years) and medium-term challenges and issues playing out over a few months or quarters. But models have also been used to understand shorter-term phenomena, such as in supply-chain and service-delivery cases. Often, though, the same structures and mechanisms operate over both short and long-time scales. Examples include customer acquisition and retention, and staffing (hiring, promotion, and turnover), and performance-improvement programs. This webinar will show how a single model can capture both short-term and strategic views of the same issue, enabling management to have a coherent long-term plan and to check the impact of that plan on short-term tactical episodes. Taken to the extreme, this approach can get close to offering a “digital twin” of a business or some part of the business, that closely matches its actual performance as well as the development of the wider system that drives that performance. Similar considerations may well apply to plans and challenges in other domains. In this webinar, you will learn:
- The benefits of using System Dynamics to capture both short-term and long-term perspectives of a business issue.
- How to design and implement effective digital twin architectures that can improve organizational performance.
- Real-world examples and case studies of how System Dynamics and digital twins have been used to optimize business performance and drive competitive advantage.
About the Speakers
2023 PwC Mark Paich Hackathon
Get ready for two exciting and intense days of collaboration and competition as teams come together for the hybrid PwC Mark Paich Hackathon. Starting on Friday, July 21 before the start of the ISDC2023, teams will compete to solve complex problems using System Dynamics and data science, with judging taking place on Sunday, July 23.
Don’t miss the chance to be recognized for your innovative solutions and join us at the conference banquet to celebrate the winners!
The Challenges: Artificial Intelligence or Health
The hackathon will require thoughtful consideration of new technologies and their potential. Participants will choose one of two challenges relating to Artificial Intelligence or Health.
Teams will have the opportunity to address questions regarding the use of new technologies that have the potential to bring about positive change and also carry significant risks if not thoughtfully considered.
Further details about the challenge will be revealed at the July 21 kickoff meeting.
Prizes
Teams will compete for recognition and a cash price of:
First $3,000
Second $1,500
Third $500
Exploring Careers in System Dynamics
Exploring Careers in System Dynamics
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on careers in System Dynamics featuring experts Sharon Els, Eduardo Romanovski, and Georg Pallaske, moderated by Shane Carnohan. This session will provide attendees with a look into the careers of three System Dynamics experts, with discussion and advice on pursuing and maintaining a successful career.
During the panel discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to hear about the panelists’ personal experiences, career journeys, and views on the field of System Dynamics. Topics that will be covered include the skills and knowledge needed to succeed, challenges and opportunities in the field, and integrating System Dynamics into real-world professions. Learn from their extensive experience working with government and corporate clients and gain valuable insights into addressing complex business challenges.
Whether you’re a student exploring your career options or a seasoned professional looking to collaborate or broaden your understanding, this panel discussion is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable insights and learn from experts in the field.
About the Speakers
Sharon Els is an expert in business modeling and simulation with over two decades of experience. Her extensive client work includes predicting market changes, optimizing corporate resource allocation, and improving project performance. She has advised corporate executives and government leaders on complex strategy, policy, and program challenges at various technology, aerospace, finance, gaming, and government organizations. Sharon’s insights and expertise have been instrumental in providing actionable recommendations and solutions to her clients. She currently works at Sage Analysis Group, where she continues to help organizations navigate complex business challenges.
Eduard Romanenko is a System Dynamics expert who holds a Ph.D. in System Dynamics from the University of Bergen (2022) and a European Master’s degree in System Dynamics (2014). He has been working as a full-time SD modeler and researcher for the past 3.5 years. Eduard has provided SD modeling capacity for various projects, including a project on urban stormwater management in Oslo and a 5-country EU-funded project on adolescent overweight and obesity. His contributions have provided insights into complex issues related to these projects.
Georg Pallaske is a System Dynamics expert and project manager with a passion for sustainability. He works at KnowlEdge Srl., where he develops customized analyses to support government decision-making. Georg is also pursuing a PhD at the University of Bergen, focusing on integrated sustainable development policies. As a project manager, he works closely with clients from inception to the presentation of results.
Introduction to Optimization with Stella
Join iseesystems in this one-hour webinar where Co-president Dr. Karim Chichakly introduces how you can use optimization in your Stella models. We will review some of the math behind optimization, learn how to set optimization up in Stella, and review several examples.
Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/3198059740957222752
MIT System Dynamics Seminar | First Look at ReThink Health’s Multisolving Investment Model, Part II
Please visit the MIT System Dynamics Seminars page for more information.
You are invited to attend the System Dynamics Seminar being held on Friday, March 10th from 12:30-2:00pm EST in the Jay W. Forrester conference room, E62-450, or via Zoom: https://rippel-org.zoom.us/j/86004993630 (Passcode: 767250)*. Our guest speakers will once again be Jack Homer, Bobby Milstein, and Chris Soderquist (ReThink Health) presenting First Look at ReThink Health’s Multisolving Investment Model, Part II. Lunch will be provided to those attending in person.
*Please note that we are using a different Zoom link for this seminar
Abstract
Picking up where the Thriving Together Theater leaves off, this session will offer a first look at ReThink Health’s next-generation simulation tool, which we call a Multisolving Investment Model. This new tool will help stewards see for themselves WHY certain investments are especially powerful multisolvers in our quest to thrive together (such as efforts to establish racial fairness as a matter of system design; expand belonging and civic muscle; and secure the other vital conditions). As far as we know, this is the first dynamic model to track population-level changes in well-being separately by race/ethnicity, which in turn lets planners see how everyone benefits we invest more among those who have the most to gain.
During this “First Look” session, we will share (1) the origin story of this new model; (2) design features of a working prototype including a dynamic hypothesis, empirical sources, and calibration; as well as (3) insights from initial tests, including illustrative investment scenarios, optimization, and sensitivity to uncertainties. Together, we will discuss ideas for potential use-cases and facilitation options. But this session will largely concentrate on early insights from the new prototype model.
Technical Background: The new Multisolving Investment Model uses the vital conditions framework and builds upon two prior simulation models built to study investment scenarios. Here are background references about those three elements.
- Milstein B, Payne B, Kelleher C, Homer J, et.al. Organizing Around Vital Conditions Moves the Social Determinants Agenda into Wider Action.
Health Affairs Forefront. 2023; Feb 2. https://tiny.cc/VitalConditionsHA - Milstein B, Homer J, Soderquist C. How Can a Community Pursue Equitable Health and Well-Being after a Severe Shock? Ideas from an Exploratory Simulation Model. Systems. 2022;10(5):158. https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/10/5/158 (see also this self-guided online interface)
- Milstein B, Homer J. Which Priorities for Health and Well-Being Stand Out After Accounting for Tangled Threats and Costs? Simulating Potential Intervention Portfolios in Large Urban Counties. The Milbank Quarterly. 2020 February 6:1-27. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/1468-0009.12448
Please visit https://sloangroups.mit.edu/saas/home/ for more information on all of the Academic Areas research seminars happening this semester.