Systems thinking is a powerful way of addressing complexities and interconnections in global health, however the utility of systems thinking methodologies is at an early stage and its use in global health research and practice still limited. As part of the SYSTAC European Hub, the SYSTAC Europe Forum for new systems thinkers is coordinated by a group of early career researchers and global health practitioners who have created a space where global health researchers, policymakers, and practitioners new to systems thinking can connect, learn and exchange experiences on systems thinking.
To join the Forum, please email us or you can sign up via the membership form.
Our mission
Through the establishment of the SYSTAC Europe Forum, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners across Europe and beyond are empowered to adopt systems thinking approaches and to apply systems thinking methodologies needed to address global health challenges and complexities.
Our objectives
- To increase awareness about the possibilities offered by system thinking approaches and by the use of systems thinking methodologies, and to generate interest in its adoption among global health researchers, policymakers and practitioners in Europe and beyond.
- To establish a peer support platform to facilitate collaboration among aspiring systems thinkers and adoption of best practices / evidence-based interventions in global health.
- To promote experiential learning of systems thinking methodologies so that their application in global health research and practice increases.
- To create a network of senior system thinking mentors offering guidance and support to aspiring system thinkers in global health.
- To support aspiring system thinkers in their personal growth through information sharing about career advancement and offering coaching opportunities relevant for systems thinking.
The SYSTAC Europe Forum Team
Current members
Abeer Ahmad is a Research Analyst in SIPRI´s Climate Change and Risk Programme. Her research focuses on exploring the intersection between health policy and peacebuilding in emergency situations and areas affected by fragility and conflict, with an emphasis on enhancing climate and health system resilience.
Claudia Truppa is a PhD student at the CRIMEDIM Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, University of Eastern Piedmont (Novara, Italy). Her research focuses on documenting operational strategies to strengthen health systems’ resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Sabine Margarete Damerow is a PhD student at the Bandim Health Project, the University of Southern Denmark. In her PhD project, Sabine assesses the real-life effects of a health system strengthening initiative for maternal and child health in Guinea-Bissau.
Earlier members
Amanda Quintana is a Global Health and Development professional and PhD student at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Using a systems thinking approach, Amanda is looking at the implementation of climate adaptation policies for health in Western Cape Province, South Africa.
Katrine De Angeles is a PhD student in the Global and Sexual Health (GLoSH) research group at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden. Using implementation science, Katrine explores policy implementation and mHealth to strengthen care engagement for programmes to prevent maternal HIV transmission in Kenya.