The complex and interconnected problems we face in public health necessitate a broad range of questions about what is happening, why it is happening, and how we might act. Systems Thinking methodologies provide structured ways to explore these kinds of challenges: not to solve them outright, but to understand them more deeply and work with them more effectively. Different systems methods illuminate different aspects of such questions: some focus on meaning and purpose, others on structure, feedback, or adaptation. Together, they encourage researchers and practitioners to engage with complexity reflectively, choosing approaches according to the context and the questions being explored rather than following a fixed sequence or hierarchy.

This two‑part webinar series focuses on Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH), a practical approach for examining and ‘unfolding’ boundaries, perspectives, assumptions and tensions within complex problematic situations.

Who are these sessions for?

• Researchers, students and practitioners interested in applying systems thinking to public health contexts.
• Public health professionals working in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Community partners and practitioners engaged in health-systems improvement.
• Anyone curious about using systems approaches to support reflective inquiry.

Session 1: Introduction to Critical Systems Heuristics (CSH)

What will we cover in this session?

This session introduces Critical Systems Heuristics as a way to explore the values, assumptions and boundary judgments shaping complex situations. We will walk through the 12 CSH questions, explain their purpose and illustrate their use through an example from our own practice.