This workshop introduces participants to Causal Loop Diagrams, a systems thinking-based method commonly used for understanding causal dynamics, eliciting mental models, and communicating feedback loops responsible for a particular problem. This interactive workshop will use practical and facilitated exercises to support participants in learning how to map complex systems, visualise feedback loops, and uncover the underlying structures that drive system behaviour over time.

Participants will also learn how to identify high-impact system leverage points—places within a system that can result in large changes in system behaviour—enabling more strategic decision-making in complex real-world contexts.

Facilitator: Dr Jolene Cox 

Dr Jolene Cox is a Senior Research Fellow in Mental Health and Systems Science. She is also an Honorary Fellow at the Australian National University and a Research Affiliate at the Manna Institute. Jolene holds a PhD in Psychology from the Australian National University.

Jolene received the Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2026–2029) to undertake an interdisciplinary research program, integrating psychological science and system science methods to address help-seeking for self-harm in young people. She continues to apply her expertise across other research projects in other domains (eg road safety, health services). She also has public sector experience in mental health roles and continues to engage in the public sector in an advisory capacity.

Cognitive task analysis (CTA) refers to a suite of methods focus on analysing the cognitive aspects of task performance. These methods are particularly useful when eliciting information from experts, who, because of their expertise, can find it difficult to articulate their knowledge and thought processes. The outcomes of CTA are highly useful for understanding the cognitive processes of experts to support various system improvements such as fast-tracking the training of novice operators, design of decision support systems, and review and update of procedures or work instructions to capture expert strategies.

 CTA encompasses a number of methods; this workshop will focus on the following approaches: critical decision method (CDM), verbal protocol analysis (VPA) and cognitive walkthroughs. The workshop will provide attendees with a background to each knowledge elicitation approach, practical expertise in its use, and an overview of data representation and analysis techniques

Facilitator: Professor Gemma Read

Gemma is a Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. Gemma has over 19 years’ experience applying human factors and systems thinking methods and approaches to optimise safety and performance in complex systems, including transportation, healthcare, defence and construction. Prior to joining academia, she worked in human factors roles in transport safety regulation. She has authored four books, over 95 peer reviewed journal articles and has received national and international awards for her research.

This interactive workshop introduces participants to Work Domain Analysis (WDA), a systems thinking method grounded in systems engineering and human factors (Vicente, 1997; Naikar, 2013). Participants will learn how to model complex systems across five levels of abstraction—purpose, performance measures, functions, processes, and resources—enabling a structured understanding of interdependencies and system boundaries.

Through guided application, attendees will develop their own WDA models in real-world contexts. The workshop emphasises practical outcomes, equipping participants to support strategic alignment, evidence-based performance management, policy and investment decisions, and adaptive system design. Participants will leave with the capability and confidence to analyse and model any complex system.

Facilitator: Associate Professor Nicholas Stevens

Associate Professor Nicholas Stevens is a systems scientist and town planner with a background in applying human factors and systems methods in spatial planning and urban design. He is the undergraduate and postgraduate Program Coordinator for Urban Design and Town Planning at UniSC and is also the theme leader for urban design and development in the Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science.

Nicholas is involved in a range of current projects and advisory panels that focus on the design and delivery of urban systems and infrastructures to optimise both their safety and economic capacity and is a co-author of the book, Human Factors in Land Use Planning and Urban Design: Methods, Practical Guidance, and Applications. His research and expertise in urbanism have resulted in his identification as an agenda contributor to the World Economic Forum and he has a track record of working with government and industry on projects focused on complexity and systems science.

The Accident Mapping (AcciMap) method is an accident analysis technique, underpinned by contemporary accident causation theory, which supports a better understanding of why adverse events occur through both the analysis of single incidents and multi-incident data sets. This workshop will provide expert guidance and tips on how to use AcciMap and demonstrate how the data from multiple AcciMaps can be aggregated to identify patterns across incidents. The workshop will use a series of case studies providing attendees with practical experience applying AcciMap across different safety contexts.

Facilitator: Professor Gemma Read

Gemma is a Professor of Psychology and the Director of the Centre for Human Factors and Systems Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. Gemma has over 19 years’ experience applying human factors and systems thinking methods and approaches to optimise safety and performance in complex systems, including transportation, healthcare, defence and construction. Prior to joining academia, she worked in human factors roles in transport safety regulation. She has authored four books, over 95 peer reviewed journal articles and has received national and international awards for her research.