ONLINE COURSE * 8 WEEKS

introduction to systems thinking


a practice for seeing the whole, and working wisely within it.

in this course we build a foundation for your practice with systems and systems thinking, from the parts in front of you to the whole they belong to

first delivered in 2020, now running for the 14th time

we are passionate about making systems thinking accessible and relevant for everyone.

in this course we translate the abstract concepts of systems thinking and complexity into practical language and activities to help you to develop a solid foundational understanding from which to build your own approach.

we introduce frameworks to clarify ‘what we do when we do systems thinking’, and share relevant case examples from our work.‍

weekly session topics


  1. the development of the western academic discipline
  2. understanding a First Nations perspective on systems
  3. defining a system and exploring system boundary work
  4. systems and complexity
  5. systems thinking as a set of methods, a way of working and a worldview
  6. a systems practice framework
  7. what is a systems approach?
  8. examples of systems thinking in practice

details


$750.00 AUD + gst

fridays 9am - 11am aest,starting july 17th, for the americas this is thursday july 16th. check your world clock for times

weekly 2 hr virtual sessions for 8 weeks

short lectures on key ideas and concepts

small group discussion and short reflective activities

readings, slides and recordings shared via learning platform

tickets available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  please get in touch for more detail

view the brochure. download the brochure


what you’ll take away


you'll leave able to bring a systems lens to your own work: to read a complex situation, see the boundaries and dynamics at play, and choose how to act within it.

you'll take practical tools with you, the systems practice framework and the systems change framework to apply directly in your work, and ongoing access to our database of systems thinking facilitation guides.

eight weeks won't make you an expert, and we won't pretend otherwise. what you'll have is a solid footing, and the appetite to keep developing the practice well beyond the course.

a note on how we honour First Nations knowledge


our own introduction to systems thinking was first through a western academic lens. it is from this perspective that we primarily orient, and offer our teaching on systems thinking.

we also recognize that practices of relationality, reciprocity, and responsibility are core to many First Nations peoples and communities, and have existed as critical systems of knowing and being for tens of thousands of years.

our approach to teaching and sharing systems thinking is grounded in acknowledging and naming these related but distinct approaches and lineages. in this way we seek to honour and respect First Nations practices by amplifying the messages and teachings that First Nations communities have made available for others outside their communities to learn from.

we hold all of this as an ongoing practice of cultural humility, one we keep learning and growing in.

what folks have said about the course


‘this series has been such a rich learning experience. seanna so skilfully and passionately breaks down and shares about complex and difficult concepts around systems thinking.  highly recommend both for those starting out on their systems thinking journey and for those who think they already know everything about systems thinking.
— past participant
seanna’s extensive knowledge was astounding and the way she kept the whole group engaged was really great. the information was pitched just right and included enough time to interact with others, self-reflect and ask questions.
— past participant