Map The System: The MRU Systems Thinking Experience
Edited August 22, 2024
Hey there, future changemakers! Have you ever wondered why sombre and overwhelming social problems exist; how they happen and why there seem to be different problems that overlap with other problems? Imagine possessing a mental toolkit that not only helps you understand complex issues but also empowers you to enact positive change. It's time to develop a secret weapon – system thinking. This is the essence of the Map the System (MTS) program at Mount Royal University.
Image: MTS Info Session on November 14, 2023
Why Apply for MTS MRU?
System thinking, roughly synonymous with holistic thinking, is the focus of Map the System. The current broken world we are witnessing and "inheriting" has failed with many quick-fix approaches. MTS equips students with a wider lens to look at how a variety of issues are interconnected with one another. It transforms an inexperienced student into a more strategic, multi-dimensional thinker, capable of navigating the complex web of challenges our society faces.
This year's MTS promises an even more exciting journey, providing students with the opportunity to dive deep into real-world problems. Past participants attest to the transformative nature of the competition, where challenges become stepping stones and barriers become opportunities.
Connecting with Community
MTS is not just a competition; it's a bridge between academia and real-time, real-world issues and an opportunity to explore a topic students are passionate about and a chance to share that with a wider audience. Participants engage in research that goes beyond the confines of classrooms, addressing real-world issues. As Alita (BComm, 2023), a past participant, emphasizes, "The purpose is to connect the dots of seemingly different issues."
Mizuki (BCIS student) echoes the sentiment, noting "It can be a first step into a future project." The impact extends beyond the competition, encouraging participants to channel their newfound skills into ongoing community projects.
On the left is Alita Vaz - MTS Campus 2023 and on the right is Mizuki Oshita - MTS Canada 2020
Consider the story of Thomas Tri, whose research delved into education barriers for immigrant youth in East Calgary. The inspiration for their study came from lived experiences, highlighting the program's ability to tackle issues close to home.
Reflecting on the competition, Thomas shares the challenges and rewards. The process, though convoluted at times, builds relationships and fosters connections. The growth is evident not only in research skills but also in personal development.
The competition has compelled us to contribute to social change. Whether it be through current volunteerism and involvement in the community or aspiring toward careers that advocate for social change, we attribute this ignited passion to the competition.- Thomas Tri, December 12, 2023. Watch the team reflection video.>>
Thomas and his team. From left to right: Sutherland Hedley, Amanda Ong and Thomas Tri
Roisin Dillion's journey is also inspired by her lived experiences and life challenges. "Roisin's grasp of the issue from a research standpoint, a clinical nursing practitioner viewpoint and a personal perspective, having lost a friend to a fentanyl overdose, meant she combined analytical rigour, real world experience and passion," said James Stauch, Executive Director of the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal.
Roisin Dillion - the winner of MTS Global competition 2018 (Image source:Skoll Centre, University of Oxford)
Alita Vaz, a graduate in information design who took part in MTS MRU 2023, shared her transformative experiences: "Map the System provides an opportunity for students to explore issues that matter to them using a systems thinking lens. Often, these students find topics they are genuinely passionate about. Map the System allows all of us to see these issues brought to light, which we often miss due to the ways we experience life. It is a platform for students to share what they care about and why we should care too. Sharing the journey of exploration with the students is a privilege in itself and has opened my eyes to some interesting ways of looking at the world."
Ally Phan, a marketing student who participated in MTS MRU 2024, shared her inspiration for the research topic and the application of systems mapping to the topic: "System Mapping taught me that the answer is not always what we think it is. As we were building up our understanding of the problem, we discovered that there are various factors that contribute to the problem more than just the symptoms on the surface. The competition encouraged us to listen to the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of multiple stakeholders, while being able to see the system forces and patterns beyond seemingly subjective and different observations."
Your System Thinking Journey Starts Here!
As the Map the System MRU program opens its 9th annual call for students, the question is not just why apply, but rather, why miss out on the opportunity to hone your strategic and critical thinking skills to identify critical sources of life challenges you care about? And more importantly, it is a great opportunity to evoke empathy and provoke people's concern for these challenges. MTS will be a journey for you that shapes individuals into holistic thinkers, change-makers, and advocates for a better world. Connect the dots, bridge the gaps, and join the MTS community, where thinking systemically is not just a skill but a way of interpreting life.
To receive more progress updates and resources from the competition, visit Website mapthesystem.ca, LinkedIn, and Instagram
Top 6 Global Finalist at Map The System 2023 - Karen Fletcher, Athabasca University