Overview
At the second annual SSSI, researchers, evaluators, clinicians, students from across the U.S. and the world joined together virtually from August 2 to August 6, 2021 for training in systems science and its applications for social impact.
The Institute was a 5-day program that offered in-depth systems science methods training for health and social science scholars. Washington University virtually hosted 65 participants who received training in either agent-based modeling, group model building, system dynamics, or social networks.
Participants learned about major systems science concepts and analytic best practices, and applied the methods to their own real-world data. They also had opportunities for one-on-one advising on their projects in our virtual format.
I just loved learning about it. I want to use it now so very badly as I can see so many places it would add value. I am grateful that I had this chance… now where to get more???
2021 Participant
Group photo of the Group Model Building track 
Doug Luke instructs participants in the Social Network Analysis track 
System Dynamics track instruction 
System Dynamics instructor Nasim Sabounchi leads a session 
Kristen Hassmiller Lich leads participants through the bathtub metaphor 
Beth Prusaczyk speaks to the whole institute at the Social Network Analysis lunch session 
Magdalena Cerda speaks to participants at the Agent based Modeling lunch session 
Terry Huang shares a presentation at the System Dynamics lunch session 
Kelsey Werner leads a session of the Group Model building track 
Ross Hammond answers questions during Agent based Modeling group instruction 
Agent based Modeling instructor Matt Kasman in action 
Group trivia afternoon hosted by ABM instructor Matt Kasman
I really appreciated the diversity of experiences of the other participants and the facilitators. I learned so much from just listening to what other people are doing and learning about.
2021 participant
Invited Speakers
Bobbi Carothers
Senior Data Analyst, Center for Public Health Systems Science, Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis
Magdalena Cerdá
Associate Professor, Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Terry Huang
Professor; Department Chairperson; Director, Center for Systems and Community Design; Co-Director, NYU-CUNY Prevention Research Center; Founder, Firefly Innovations
David Lounsbury
Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology & Population Health and Associate Professor, Department of Family and Social Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Mary McKay
Neidorff Family and Centene Corporation Dean of the Brown School, Washington University in St. Louis
Beth Prusaczyk
Instructor of Medicine, Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine
Josh Rosenthal
Senior Scientist, Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health