Map the System 2022

Map the System is a global competition of University of Oxford's Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, delivered in partnership with educational institutions around the world. From its inception in 2015, the competition challenges participants to use systems thinking as a guiding approach to understanding some of the most complex issues the world faces today.

Visit global Map the System website or learn more about Map the System Canada. 

UCalgary undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent alumni (within 1 year) are eligible to participate in UCalgary's Map the System program.

Map the System can be completed by teams of 1 to 5 people. You don't have to join with others, but it is strongly recommended given the workload.

We are hosting a facilitated team building workshop during the February 2 Orientation session. This is a great place to meet others interested in working on problems you're passionate about.

As a participant in UCalgary's Map the System program, you will receive:

• Resources
  • A guidebook with directions that will move you through the program
  • Access to a D2L page with relevant resources such as the Impact Gap Canvas, Systemic Design Toolkit, and Causes Diagram worksheets, and weekly discussion boards that will help you connect with other teams for peer-to-peer support
• Workshops
  • Research Methods
  • Human-Centred Design
  • Systems Mapping
  • Storytelling and Communications
  • Presentations
• Connections
  • Coaches and subject matter experts from the Hunter Hub, Haskayne School of Business, and Innovate Calgary who can help you with your project
  • Taylor Family Digital Library librarians 

Workshops are highly recommended. They will provide a space for you to develop new knowledge, actively work on your projects and receive feedback, and connect with other participants. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the various tools and methods that are introduced throughout the program.

Participants are expected to take a system thinking approach to their research analysis and present their findings in three ways: visual, written, and verbal.

1. Written submission materials

• Visual systems map(s)

• Written systems analysis (up to 3000 words)

• Detailed bibliography 

2. Presentation

The presentation is the part of this competition that most closely mimics a pitch competition, but only insofar as participants are telling a story. Teams will present a visual representation of their systems map. 

This program is free to join.

UCalgary finalists will also have a chance to compete for a share of $5000 in cash prizes awarded at our local competition. The winning UCalgary finalist will have a chance to compete for one of four $2000 prizes at the Canadian finals, and a chance to win a spot in the global finals.

Map the System Canada has projects from last year's program available online. Check them out to see what this program can help you achieve.