The Oxford Systems Thinking Hub
Developing and promoting cutting-edge practical Systems Thinking approaches. Find us on LinkedIn
Vision
We set up the Oxford Systems Thinking Hub in Summer 2024 to promote and develop Systems Thinking across the University of Oxford. We had met many colleagues using Systems Thinking, related ideas, and methods, but without a common place to share ideas and develop new research. We felt the need for an intellectual home for Systems Thinking at Oxford; we hope the hub will be just that!
People
Dr. Pete Barbrook-Johnson (Founding co-director) - using systems mapping, system dynamics, and agent-based modelling on a range of energy and environmental topics.
Dr. Saskia Nowicki (Founding co-director) - using systems framing and mapping for implementation science to advance water security.
Dr. Fernanda Senra de Moura (Honorary Research Associate) - using data-driven systems mapping and agent-based modelling on climate.
Aissa Dearing (DPhil student) - using participatory systems approaches on carbon dioxide removal.
Gustė Gurčinaitė (DPhil student) - using participatory systems approaches on the role of justice in policy.
Jordan White (Research Intern) - using AI tools to support systems methods.
Jose Espí (DPhil student) - using SIPs and system dynamics on bioplastics.
Max Collett (Research assistant) - using systems mapping on power sector reform.
Owen Haaga (DPhil student) - using system dynamics to model labour flows in the energy transition.
Poornima Kumar (DPhil student) - using systems approaches on digitilisation and energy use.
Yuan Fu (DPhil student) - using NLP to support systems mapping.
Publications
Systems mapping
Systems mapping: how to build and use causal models of systems, by Pete Barbrook-Johnson and Alexandra Penn, 2022, Palgrave. - practical book outlining a range of systems mapping methods and how to use them.
Participatory systems mapping for complex energy policy evaluation, Barbrook-Johnson, P., & Penn, A. 2021. - paper outlining the use of participatory systems mapping (and the analysis of submaps drawn from larger maps) in policy analysis.
Building a system-based Theory of Change using Participatory Systems Mapping, Wilkinson, H., Hills, D., Penn, A., & Barbrook-Johnson, P. 2021 - paper outlining how to using systems mapping to inform a Theory of Change.
Sensitive Intervention Points
Sensitive intervention points: a strategic approach to climate action, Mealy, P., Barbrook-Johnson, P., Ives, MC., Srivastav, S., Hepburn, C, 2023. - paper outlining a relatively detailed framework for using the idea of ‘sensitive intervenion points’ to assess policy and intervention ideas; SIPs incorporate many systems thinking ideas.
Modelling the energy transition
Economic modelling fit for the demands of energy decision makers, Barbrook-Johnson, P., Mercure, JF., Sharpe, S. et al. 2024 - comment piece call for new approaches to modelling for the energy transition, including systems thinking approaches.
New economic models of energy innovation and transition - library of case studies of new approaches to modelling the energy transition, including many quant and qual systems approaches.
Principles of complex systems
The visual representation of complexity - poster explaining the various defining characteristics of complex systems with simple visuals, examples, and learning points.
More to come - key papers from both of us
Projects
The Economics of Energy Innovation and System Transition. Funded by UK HM Government + CIFF.
System mapping for the power sector transition in China. Funded by QCF and DESNZ.
More to come - only really relevant things, not just any project we are involved in. Include DPhil and side projects?
Teaching materials
Coming soon: handbooks, lecture slides, and other materials for courses we teach on systems thinking and complexity sciences.
Events
Upcoming
ONE Water event - details coming soon
ACCESS Systems mapping course - 12 November - a few spaces still available
Systems Thinking Masterclasses (Fully booked)
INET seminar series, Hilary Term 2025 - details coming soon
Past
Systems thinking workshop 2023, organised in partnership with the School of Geography and the Environment, Oxford.
Systems mapping workshop 2024, organised in partnership with INET Oxford and the Cascade Institute.
Tipping points workshop 2024, organised in partnership with INET Oxford and the Cascade Institute.
Get involved
If you would like to chat about our work, attend events, or join the hub, get in touch at peter.barbrook-johnson@ouce.ox.ac.uk and saskia.nowicki@ouce.ox.ac.uk
Friends of the hub
The following research groups at Oxford and beyond regularly collaborate with us and do their own similar research.
ESRC Centre for the Evaluation of Complexity Across the Nexus
Institute for New Economic Thinking
OTHERS