The University of Bergen at the International System Dynamics Conference

This year the International System Dynamics Conference (ISDC) was hosted here in Bergen! While the UiB System Dynamics Group is an active member of the System Dynamics community, it played an especially influential role with Bergen being the host city this year. Before going into too much detail as to my experiences, let me first share what it is.

The ISDC is an annual conference run by the System Dynamics Society. It alternates each year between a host city in the United States and Europe. As a result, it attracts a vibrant international community with a wide range of academic backgrounds. For instance, I met people whose interests were in public health, sustainability, agriculture, mental health, organizational development, and energy transition to name a few. These same people originated from each of the continents, except Antarctica. The main portion of the conference itself was spread out over five days where people could share their applications of system dynamics. These papers and projects were presented in both large and small group formats. There was also space to socialize during lunch and in the evenings. As a new member of the system dynamics community, this was a great way to meet some of the leading practitioners in the field.

This particular conference was special as it was held in Bergen and our professors, Birgit Kopainsky, Saeed Langarudi, and Ali Saysel, played an instrumental role in welcoming the international system dynamics community to Bergen. Additionally, the founder and professor emeritus Pål Ingebrigt Davidsen was given the Lifetime Achievement Award. He has played a key role for the work he has done growing system dynamics. Not only did he grow one of the foundational groups for system dynamics here in Bergen, but many of his students are now leaders in the field. He is the seventh person to be handed this award during the history of the society.

As a student in system dynamics and a new attendee to the conference, it was an eye-opening experience. First, I was able to present work I completed during my master’s at the conference. I presented a poster on the potential for vertical farming in Norway. This was a validating experience to realize that within a year, I am now able to positively contribute to the system dynamics field. While I still have much to learn, it was able to effectively communicate with those who have been modeling for many years. I was rubbing shoulders with some of the most established modelers who were extremely willing to share their work and provide advice.

Secondly, I was able to broaden my horizons on how I could apply system dynamics. Due to the wide variety of disciplines, I found new and creative ways to translate variables into models. For instance, I attended many lectures performing group model building which looks to use groups of people to build and verify model structures. While we do learn a little about this within the program, I was able to more actively engage in this subject area.

Another exciting aspect was that I was able to connect with a large number of alumni from the University of Bergen. System dynamics is still an emerging field. A concern I often receive and ask myself is what to do with my degree once I graduate. With that in mind, I was able to connect with several alumni who now apply system dynamics actively or use more of the systems thinking skills in related jobs. Even though not all students remain in system dynamics, it is clear that the skillset is valuable at setting people apart. System dynamics helps to teach people how to think critically and understand problems from multiple perspectives. Variables are connected in ways that are not initially apparent. There is a grounded understanding that the world is complex, something that is overlooked by many across industries.

Lastly, the conference was simply fun. I consider myself a nerd. This is a general term. At times, it can be derogatory for some people. Yet at the conference, it was a unique opportunity to enjoy learning. I could dive deeply into multiple topics and disciplines. I was part of a community that understood the work that I did. It was a safe space to challenge ideas. In doing so, it became a very social environment. I developed connections that could remain helpful both for my career but also personally. Ultimately, it was a great step further into the world of system dynamics.

Altogether, these reasons help to enhance my master’s experience. The System Dynamics Group at the University of Bergen is a foundational component of the larger system dynamics community. Its professors, researchers, and students serve as change makers in the field, driving it forward and expanding its reach. There is still more work to do, but it is a unique experience to feel part of growing system dynamics.