Systems approaches in action
Status current
Start Date
Estimated End Date
After applying systems approaches within our individual projects for several years, it is now time to determine what can be learned across our projects.
This research will illustrate how researchers, policy makers and practitioners can use systems approaches to better work together to bring about change.
Introduction
This project aims to gain a clearer picture of how systems approaches are being used to describe and understand complex problems. We are also seeking to identify, at a deeper level of practice, whether and how systems approaches are being used to create real world change. It will identify when and how prevention research uses systems approaches to address issues of complexity, and, based on these findings, what the Prevention Centre and those researching more broadly within the prevention system could do differently to enact systems change.
Featured project resources
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Complexity and the Prevention Systems Change Framework
Resource category:Videos
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From understanding to action: Developing a prevention systems change framework
Resource category:Videos
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Addressing complexity in prevention research: The dynamic duality of systemic and systematic approaches
Resource category:Videos
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A prevention systems change framework
Resource category:Reports
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Featured project news
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Creating systems of leadership in prevention research
News Category: Media coverageDate -
Creating change: A Systems Change Framework to drive action on chronic disease
News Category: Media coverageDate -
Systems change framework for prevention
News Category: Prevention Centre NewsDate
About
Addressing complexity in prevention research using systems approaches: systems case studies
Project titleWhat is the issue?
Since the Prevention Centre was established in 2013, it has shown the value of systems approaches for research into chronic disease prevention. Systems approaches incorporate systems thinking, systems practices and systems science methods, and are useful when dealing with complex problems such as chronic disease.
Having had several years of applying many different systems approaches within a wide range of individual projects, now is the time to reflect on what can be learned from across the different projects.
This project aims to gain a clearer picture of how systems approaches are being used to describe and understand complex problems. We are also seeking to identify, at a deeper level of practice, whether and how systems approaches are being used to create real world change. It will identify when and how prevention research uses systems approaches to address issues of complexity, and, based on these findings, what the Prevention Centre and those researching more broadly within the prevention system could do differently to enact systems change.
How is the project addressing the issue?
This project will identify and bring together key lessons from a diverse range of Prevention Centre projects on the use and value of systems thinking, systems practices, and systems science tools in applied prevention research.
We will identify up to 10 case studies of former and current Prevention Centre projects that used systems approaches to address complex problems in prevention. We may also select additional case studies from Australia, the UK or Canada.
We will use comparative case study analysis to understand the utility of systems approaches for addressing complexity as it relates to chronic disease prevention, and whether and how they have sought to bring about change in prevention research, policy or practice.
We will use qualitative methods including interviews and group model building to uncover similarities, differences and patterns across our chosen case studies. In doing so we will explore the generalisable lessons that can be synthesised across the Prevention Centre that may be of value to others seeking to use systems approaches in prevention research.
Relevance for practice
This research will illustrate how researchers, policy makers and practitioners can use systems approaches to better work together to bring about change. It will inform policy makers and funders of the key factors that support the use of effective systems approaches, and when, and in what combination, these approaches are appropriate for prevention research.
This project will work closely with members of the Prevention Centre’s Leadership Executive and our Funding Partners. Our findings will inform the direction of the Prevention Centre’s research into the future.
The findings will also enhance the skills and capacity around the use of systems approaches for those working in chronic disease prevention, policy and practice.
What are the expected outcomes?
The expected outcomes of this project are:
- Recommendations and a systems reporting framework relevant for prevention research, policy and practice
- A suite of case illustrations, practice examples and peer review publications
- Practical guidance on how to improve the use of systems approaches for the prevention of chronic disease.
News and media
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Creating systems of leadership in prevention research
News Category: Media coverageDate -
Creating change: A Systems Change Framework to drive action on chronic disease
News Category: Media coverageDate -
Systems change framework for prevention
News Category: Prevention Centre NewsDate
Other news and media
Blog
- Pescud M and Townsend B. 12 Tips for digital interviews and interactions during COVID-19.
Resources
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Complexity and the Prevention Systems Change Framework
Resource category:Videos
Date -
From understanding to action: Developing a prevention systems change framework
Resource category:Videos
Date -
Addressing complexity in prevention research: The dynamic duality of systemic and systematic approaches
Resource category:Videos
Date -
A prevention systems change framework
Resource category:Reports
Date -
Systems thinking across disciplines: Working, moving and living within systems
Resource category:Podcasts
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Embracing complexity: thinking and working in systems
Resource category:Videos
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Preventing chronic disease, our greatest health problem
Resource category:Factsheets
Date
Publications
Other publications
2020
- LaBond C, Banwell C, Pescud M, Doan T, and Strazdins. (2020). Blue collar timescapes: work, health, and pension eligibility age for mature age Australian bus drivers. Critical Public Health.
- Davies C, Pescud M. (2020). The arts and creative industries in health promotion: An Evidence Check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute for The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation.
Presentations
2021
- Irving M, Pescud M, and Rychetnik L. When ‘Knowledge Mobilisation’ meets ‘Systems Thinking’: A whole new world? Evidence and Implementation Summit, Sydney, 30-31 March 2021.
- Pescud M, and Boelsen-Robinson, T. Being a systems thinking leader: What does this mean for prevention? Prevention Centre Research Network, May 2021. (Recording and PowerPoint presentation).
2020
- Rychetnik L. Systems approaches to chronic disease prevention. Teaching sessions, Graduate Certificate on Environment, Society and Health, University of Notre Dame, September 2020.
- Pescud M. Systems thinking for prevention research., Prevention Centre Research Network, 28 July 2020.
- Rychetnik L. Systems approaches to public health. University of Notre Dame Graduate Certificate of Environment, Society, and Health. 2020
- Pescud M. Sharing perspectives: Systems thinking for chronic disease prevention. Shoal Group’s Ideas Club, hosted across RegNet and Shoal Group’s offices, Adelaide, via video conference, 4 March 2020.
People
Lead investigators
Project team
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Professor Steven Allender
Deakin University -
Professor Sharon Friel
Australian National University -
Dr Michelle Irving
University of Sydney -
Associate Professor Therese Riley
Victoria University -
Professor Diane Finegood
Simon Fraser University -
Professor Harry Rutter
University of Bath, UK -
Professor Ray Ison
Open University, UK