Student Resources

Fingers typing on laptop keyboard

This page catalogues important resources for Map the System participants to access throughout the duration of the competition.

Students may take part in Map the System as part of a course or independently. Students who are taking part in Map the System outside of a course are encouraged to take advantage of the non-course syllabus to help guide them through competition milestones.

Oxford Learning Program

With the launch of Map the System 2025, the University of Oxford has released a new learning opportunity for students! All students on campus can register and access a free Oxford-based learning program designed to help them develop systems thinking skills.Ìý

Student Resources on this page:

Competition Rules & Guidebooks

  • Review the UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Map the System Workbook for activities to progress your research
  • Review Canada's to find key information. The is especially useful in helping students at all stages of mapping their systems, from systems-thinking context to practical application
  • Review the Evaluation Criteria
  • View a past Centre for Peace Advancement info session video or slides below.

Competition Timeline

Date Details
November 1 Team Registration Opens​
January 31 Team Registration Deadline
February - March Research Period
April 3Ìý Submission Deadline
April 7 Local CampusÌýFinals
May 19-22

Map the System Canada Finals at the Banff Systems Summit inÌýAlberta
June 3-6 Global Finals in Oxford
Ìý

Map the System Info Session (January 2025)

Title page for Map the System launch slides
map-the-system-info-session-2025.pdf

Map the System Info Session (January 2024)

Welcome slide for info session, interconnected cubes and logos on dark blue background
map-the-system-info-session-2024.pdf

Map the System Info Session (January 2022)

Map the System Info Session (January 2020)

Systems Mapping Resources

  • Review this 12 step "" that will help you and your team walk through the process of mapping a system
  • Review the tool, created byÌýDaniela Papi-Thornton, designer of Map the System. This exercise will help you understand the landscape of your problem and identify some paths to a solution

Research Design Resources

Presentation Resources

More Resources on Systems ThinkingÌý

Articles and Guides:

  •  | Leyla AcarogluÌý

  • ÌýMicheal Goodman

  • ÌýDavid Peter Stroh

  • Ìý| Daniel H. Kim

Books:Ìý

  •  | Daniela Meadows ()Ìý

  •  | Boulton, J., P. Allen, et al

  •  | David Peter Stroh ()Ìý

  •  | Linda Booth Sweeney ()Ìý

  • |Ìý Cynthia Rayner and François Bonnici

  •  | Sally Osberg and Roger Martin (Ìý- audiobook)

  • | Paul Polman and Andrew Winston

  •  | Peter Senge ()Ìý

Additional Resources