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.

Who will this workshop benefit?

• 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.

Aim of the session

To introduce the Viable System Model (VSM) as a framework for understanding how organisations and systems maintain effectiveness and adaptability in complex environments.

Objectives of the workshop

By the end of the session, participants will:

• Understand the origins and principles of the Viable System Model.
• Recognise the kinds of Discovery Questions that VSM helps to explore, particularly those concerning coordination, communication, evaluation/audit and decision-making.
• Become familiar with the five interacting subsystems that underpin viability.
• Demonstrate practical examples of how VSM has been used within a public health context.

What will we cover in this session?

• Introduction to the Viable System Model: purpose, history, and relevance.
• Key concepts: viability, recursion, autonomy, and communication.
• The five-system structure and how it supports adaptation and learning.
• Examples of discovery questions addressed through VSM (e.g. How do different parts of the system connect to support decision-making? Where are the tensions between local autonomy and central coordination?).

When?

18 February 2026, 10:30 - 12:30 (GMT)

Please note: you must register separately for Session 2 - more information HERE