About the series
In recent years, there has been a marked uptick in interest, use, and development of Systems Thinking methods, particularly in the UK. The Oxford Systems Thinking Hub has been set up to promote and develop the use of Systems Thinking approaches across Oxford. In partnership with the Institute for New Economic Thinking, we will be running a first ‘Systems Thinking Series’ in Hilary Term 2025.
The Series is made up of two fireside chats with Oxford researchers experienced in using Systems Thinking approaches, and two reading group sessions. These will all be relatively informal events. The fireside chats will start with a short presentation from the researcher, followed by discussion on the topics raised, as well as an exchange of experiences and tips on using Systems Thinking. The reading groups will be hosted at lunch time (bring your own lunch!), with readings suggested by members of the Oxford Systems Thinking Hub.
Please register via the Microsoft Form below.
About the speaker
Dr Monika Zurek is a titular associate professor and senior researcher at the Environmental Change Institute at the University of Oxford and a member of the ECI Food System Transformation Group. For more than 20 years she has worked on food systems change, environment and development interactions in research and international organisations as well as in the consulting and the philanthropic sector.
Prior to joining ECI, Monika worked with Climate Focus, a consulting firm focusing on climate change mitigation and land use issues. Before that, she was part of the Agricultural Development Team of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation managing grants to improve the environmental sustainability of agricultural systems and risk management in agriculture. She also served as an economist at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and supported the Scenarios Working Group of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. Monika started her career as a researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), working on agricultural sustainability projects in Costa Rica and Mexico. She was also a lead author for various environmental assessments such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, AR4), the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the International Assessment of Agricultural Knowledge, Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD).
Monika holds degrees from the University of Hohenheim (MSc equivalent/Diploma in agricultural biology) and Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Germany (PhD in agricultural economics).
Monika is involved in, and leads on, a number of projects within the Food Systems Group at the ECI including co-leading the Foresight4Food (F4F) initiative (current projects are listed below). She also sits on the coordination team of the UK's cross-government Global Food Security Programme on the Resilience of the UK Food System.