Map the System

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Overview | Registration 

Overview

Map the System is a global competition that uses systems thinking as a guiding approach to explore some of the most complex issues facing the world today. Map the System is run at a global level by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, at a national level by the Institute for Community Prosperity at Mount Royal University, and at a UWaterloo campus level by the Grebel Peace Incubator. 

What is Map the System?

View "Map the System | Kindred Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement" on YouTube

Key Dates and Deadlines

  1. 2025
    1. Jan
      1. Registration deadline

        January 31st, 2025.

    2. Mar
      1. Research Period

        February-March 2025.

    3. Apr
      1. Submission deadline

        April 1st, 2025.

      2. Campus Finals

        April 7th, 2025.

    4. May
      1. National Finals

        May 19-22, 2025.

    5. Jun
      1. Global Finals

        July 3-6, 2025.

Winners of the 2025 Map the System Campus Finals

1st place: Gabriel Jabile

The team representing UWaterloo at the Canadian finals and recipient of a $2,000 award sponsored by Kindred Credit Union explored: Livestock Disease Outbreaks in Uganda.

2nd place: Femi Adedayo, Mya Nantambu, and Vanessa Young-Dede

The recipient of a $1,000 award sponsored by the University of Waterloo Office of Research explored: Barriers to Academic Success for Newcomer Elementary School Student in Ontario.

3rd place: Benjamin Longley and Connie Chong

The recipient of a $500 award sponsored by Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) explored: Barriers Refugees Face When Accessing Healthcare in Canada.

Learn more

If you have any questions, reach out to the Map the System Campus Lead: mapthesystem@uwaterloo.ca.

How do students get involved?

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Step 1: Learn more about Map the System

  1. Review the submission guidelines on the Map the System Canada website
  2. Review frequently asked questions and/or the 2022 recording of the Map the System Information Session
  3. Form your team of up to 5 people and pick a topic!
Cartoon map with location indicator

Step 3: Map Your System

  1. Review the resources available to you
  2. Begin your research
  3. Reach out to the support team at the Centre for Peace Advancement with questions
  4. Map your system!
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Step 2: Register for Map the System

  1. Register for the campus finals through Map the System Canada.

Registration for the Winter 2025 competition is now closed.

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Step 4: Compete for Cash Prizes

  1. Submit your written submission materials.
  2. If chosen, compete at the University of Waterloo Campus Final for a chance to win up to $2,000!
  3. If chosen, compete at the Canadian Final in Banff, AB
  4. If chosen, compete at the Global Final in Oxford, UK