On May 10, 2023, the University of Utah competed in the Map the System Global Semi-Finals, hosted by the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School. The team from the University of Utah focused on life expectancy experienced in the West Valley area of the Salt Lake City metropolitan area in connection with the development of the University of Utah’s West Valley Health and Community Center under the faculty guidance of Professor Stephen Alder. The competition’s semi-finalists are required to use systems-thinking tools to examine an issue with a broader perspective. Student teams from around the globe presented their research through visual systems maps, a written description of the research and conclusions, and a virtual presentation. Each deliverable was judged by a panel of international experts in systems thinking.

The 2023 University of Utah team members include Laurel Peacock (Master of Public Administration), Tan Le (Health Society and Policy), Scott Meaux (University Alumni), and Ryan Smith (Health Society and Policy). We asked some of our team members what they thought about the experience and how it has changed their perspective on social, economic, and environmental issues.

  • Tan Le, described his experience, “Through Map the System, I learned the tool of systems thinking. Systems thinking is the art of weaving the invisible threads that connect the intricate tapestry of our world. It invites us to transcend the boundaries of isolated fragments, to embrace the interdependence and complexity that lies beneath the surface. In embracing this perspective, we unlock the power to perceive the ripple effects of our actions and to understand the profound web of relationships that shape our lives. With systems thinking, we become architects of change, navigating the delicate balance between cause and effect, and crafting a future that harmonizes the grand symphony of existence.”
  • Laurel Peacock, a graduate student in Public Administration, notes, “Learning to change my mindset to examine an issue from a systems perspective is such an advantage in all aspects of life. So often we focus on the solutions without really examining the factors that are perpetuating an issue. This experience helped me to learn a better way to impact change.”
  • Scott Meaux, a 2022 University of Utah Graduate, similarly expressed, “I think that as far as research is concerned, this has been the best experience of a crossover between data collection, resource compilation, emphasis on historical context, and using a holistic approach to tackle an issue that truly hits close to home. The Map the System competition gave us the opportunity to unveil the underrepresented and nuanced factors that play into the health disparities that span across the Salt Lake Valley.”

While the U’s Map the System team was not selected to advance to the highly-competitive final, the team feels that their work on the project is not complete. They plan to share their research with the University’s West Valley Project leaders and the Healthy West Valley Coalition. Thy hope the systems analysis will assist decision-makers in determining leverage points of change that could impact the well-being of West Valley residents.

Professor Stephen Alder is proud of the team’s work and contribution to the project. “Using systems thinking provides insights for driving effective solutions that may otherwise be missed. The work of this remarkable team has provided important insights for helping us achieve our goals with the West Valley Health and Community Center. Congratulations to the team for their hard work to be a part of the global competition.”

If you are interested in participating in the Prosperity U student experience, please visit Eccles.link/bhp or email us at bhp@utah.edu.

Further reading