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This module considers decision-making in an integrated way that involves collaborative learning and future transformative changes by policy, communities, research, and industry representatives. Understanding the complex nature of important issues and how to guide and improve decisions on those issues is a key skill of a change-maker’s toolbox. A few real-world case studies are used to demonstrate how systems thinking approach tackles grand challenges (also link to ¹û¶³Ó°Ôº Grand Challenges) in an integrated way, focusing on non-linear and long-term effects, complex evolving dynamics, multiple actor alliances, and the factual realities of living in an uncertain, unpredictable world. The module is designed to enhance the students’ systems thinking and decision capabilities when confronted with choices and when designing strategies and policies. Methods of different decision-making processes, and methods that successfully and efficiently support these processes, are presented including: (1) system thinking and system dynamics modelling, (2) participatory system dynamics, (3) qualitative research and (4) systems engineering, (5) co-creating solutions that have better prospects of co-benefits and of being sustainably implemented, (6) strategic negotiations for sustainability integrating multiple criteria.

The aims of the module are to:

• Model problems in qualitative and potentially quantitative ways.
• Provide an understanding of how modelling contributes to collaborative learning among a wide range of stakeholders.
• Start knowing the use of decision support tools.

By the end of the module students should be able to:

• Use stakeholder interviews and published research to develop collaborative causal maps of the housing, energy and wellbeing systems.
• Understand the relationship between structure and behaviour.
• Conceptualise problems and produce causal loop diagrams.
• Build and analyse small system dynamics models.