PhD Courses in Denmark

Welcome to A Cross and inter-disciplinary approach to System thinking – theories and methodologies 

Description: ‘As our world continues to change rapidly and become more complex, systems thinking will help us manage, adapt, and see the wide range of choices we have before us. It is a way of thinking that gives us the freedom to identify root causes of problems and see new opportunities’ (Meadows, 2008, p. 1). 

With current sustainability problems, human society as we know it, is living on “borrowed time”. And this is shaping how we see and act in the world. As researchers we are called to address complex problems, with societal impact, and to collaborate across disciplines to provide the best possible solution. For example, European Commission calls on missions to drive research and innovation, which AAU already adopted, emphasising cross-disciplinary, cross-institutions collaboration and engaging with multiple stakeholders. Thinking and working through systems should not be taken for granted. Even though history presents “natural” systems thinkers like Einstein, or Gregory Batson, thinking in systems requires a combination of attributes which go beyond the disciplinary knowledge and expertise such as flexibility, openness, collaboration, whilst uncovering the structures and behaviours that describe a given phenomenon and are in root of complex problems. This course aims to support PhD students to conceptualize systems thinking from multiple lenses whilst positioning themselves and their research from a systems perspective. 

Prerequisites: No, as long as students are interested in the topic. 

Learning objectives:

The course intends to facilitate learning opportunities for PhD students to: 

1) participate in conceptual thinking of system thinking as a concept from multiple lenses, from transdisciplinary to multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary., 

2) collaboratively work on interdisciplinary research designs surrounding the topic of system thinking in diverse scientific fields, 

3) develop open-mindedness and wills to work (?) with alternative perspectives to better understand the complexity of reality to address its challenges and problems.  

Intended learning outcomes: 

Participants are expected to: 

1) reflectively conceptualize systems thinking from multiple lenses and its relevance for their current and future research practice,

2) collaboratively propose cross and interdisciplinary research designs to address the complexity of reality in a chosen topic, empowered by the concept of system thinking, 

3) critically self and peer evaluate the research designs and propose alternatives to further enhance peer learning in a cross and inter-disciplinary way. 

Assessment: 

Work on a collaboratively written cross or inter-disciplinary research proposal (3-4 pages) after Day 1 and 2 of the course, provide peer evaluation before Day 3 of the course. Resubmission 2 weeks after Day 3 after collecting all feedback during Day 3.  The design shall illustrate the use of one or more theoretical lens of system thinking and methodological design addressing the value and benefits of cross or inter-disciplinary research collaboration. 

Course activities: 

A problem and project-based learning approach is adopted in this course, involving participants working in group on real-life issues identified on their own. 

Organizer: Lykke Bertel, Søren Lykke, and Xiangyun Du

Lecturers: Aida Guerra, Helle Nielsen, Lykke Bertel, Søren Lykke, Thomas Elliot and Xiangyun Du 

ECTS: 3

Time: 3 - 5 December 2025

Place: Aalborg University

Zip code: 9220

City: Aalborg

Maximal number of participants: 30

Deadline: 12 November 2025