The use of systems thinking methods, particularly system dynamics, has rapidly expanded in public health and health promotion globally. There has been a proliferation of case studies in the peer-reviewed literature, most often applying methods such as group model building to develop causal loop diagrams that map the drivers of complex public health problems.

This interactive event will provide a demonstration of group model building (GMB). The demonstration will be engaging both for those who have never experienced GMB before and for those with experience facilitating GMB. The demonstration will highlight key issues in how to make GMB meaningful, moving beyond simply ‘mapping the causes’ to supporting meaningful systems change efforts with communities.

After a networking lunch, ‘World Café Discussions’ will be held to encourage participants to connect with one another on key topics in applying systems thinking with communities, such as diversity and inclusion; meaningful engagement; how to plan systems thinking approaches that will lead to meaningful action; and the relationship between qualitative and quantitative systems thinking approaches. These discussions will provide opportunities to learn from experts and from other participants with varying levels of experience applying systems thinking.

Programme

Speakers

Dr. Andrew Brown (Deakin University, Australia)
I work in a team at Deakin University that is globally recognised for its expertise applying systems thinking in public health. My work focuses on applying community development and systems thinking to health and social problems. I work with communities to build systems thinking capacity by co-creating maps and simulation models representing problems of interest they want to act on. I also build capacity through community-based training workshops on systems thinking and in my teaching on community development. I primarily draw from community-based system dynamics to inform my systems thinking and community development work. I have worked on several projects across Victoria, Australia and internationally on a diverse range of topics, including food systems, family violence prevention, and mental health promotion.

Dr. Loes Crielaard (Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands)
My work focuses on making complexity science and system dynamics actionable for public health. I bridge theory and practice and frequently serve as a methodological advisor in applied research projects. From a public health perspective, I have delved into methods such as network analysis applied to causal loop diagrams, bridging qualitative causal loop diagramming and quantitative system dynamics modelling, semi-quantitative causal loop diagram approaches, system dynamics-based problem framing, interactive 'what if' scenario interfaces and systems archetypes. I co-organise the Netherlands-wide Systems Thinking and Public Health Special Interest Group, hosted by Amsterdam Public Health, which promotes the exchange of best practices across systems science projects in the Netherlands. My PhD research illustrated how complexity science can fundamentally reshape our understanding of health inequalities and was awarded a cum laude distinction by the University of Amsterdam.

Kate Engel (Deakin University, Australia)
My PhD focuses on creating safer primary healthcare spaces for rural LGBTQA+ youth through a community-engaged systems approach in Western Victoria, Australia, combining co-design and systems science. My broader interests lie in inclusive mixed-methods approaches to complex health inequities, integrating public health, human rights, and systems thinking. I hold an MPH alongside several academic awards and have an interdisciplinary and international background spanning health promotion, journalism, event and project management, and advocacy. Committed to equity, sustainability and collaboration, I aim to bring together professional expertise and lived experience to empower marginalised communities and help create more inclusive and supportive systems.

Carina Mammone (Deakin University, Australia)
My PhD research is focused on exploring government decision-making processes as wellbeing promotion settings for youth across Victoria, Australia. By applying Self-Determination Theory and systems science, I aim to bring youth, government and youth advocates together to collaboratively identify opportunities to better promote youth wellbeing and participation across local and state government decision-making settings. This research will both practically inform and centre youth voices, with the goal of producing transformative insights into the growing distrust towards democratic processes and government institutions among youth in Australia, and further, how it can be addressed through a wellbeing-lens. As research sponsored by the Victorian Department of Health, my approach is informed by government to promote translational research into policy and practice. Finally, my approach will draw upon my experience and connections as a youth advocate, with the intention of designing research of which youth directly benefit by prioritising community in the dissemination of findings.