Map the System

Jordan and Sukhmani presenting at the 2023 campus finals

Overview | Registration | Prizes


Overview

Map the System is a global competition run by the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship in partnership with Oxford University and other post-secondary institutions around the world. In this competition, participants use systems thinking as a guiding approach to explore some of the most complex issues facing the world today. Interested in applying to the competition? Explore our resources to prepare for the Fall 2023/Winter 2024 competition season!

Map the System 2023 Campus Finals Winners!

 
 
Winning team with sponsor from Kindred
 

The first-place prize of $2,000, sponsored by Kindred Credit Union, was awarded to Adriana Ceric, Jordan Li, and Sukhmani Sadiora for their presentation on Wetland Management in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario. This group of undergraduate students chose the topic of wetland management out of a passionate interest for the devastating wetland loss in Southern Ontario due to increased development.

A team from Simran Singh's class on systems thinking in International Development won the 2nd place prize sponsored by MEDA (Mennonite Economic Development Associates) for their analysis of the effects of climate change on maternal and child health in coastal Bangladesh. Consider taking a course with Map the System built into the curriculum in Winter 2024!

A team of Masters students from the Stratford School of Interaction Design and Business won the 3rd place prize sponsored by the Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation. They provided excellent and pertinent research about Sustainable Consumption and Production in Canadian Fashion.

Learn more about the campus finals and winners presentations in this article.

This video was made to introduce the 2023 Map the System competition. We have chosen our campus finals winner! Learn more about the campus finals and what comes next for the winning team!

Remote video URL

Key Dates and Deadlines

Please note, dates may be subject to change.

  1. 2023
    1. Jan
      1. Participant Registration

        31 January 2023.

    2. Apr
      1. Submission Deadline

        4 April 2023.

      2. Local Finals

        12 April 2023.

    3. May
      1. Online Semi-Finals (1 team per institution)

        May 10-12 2023.

    4. Jun
      1. Global Final Submission

        June 15 2023.

    5. Jul
      1. Global Final

        July 4-9 2023.

Timeline graphic showing key dates for map the system competition

How do students get involved?

An open, cartoon book

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 5 people or less 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!
Two cartoon event tickets

Step 2: Register for Map the System

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

 

 

 

 

 

A stack of cartoon coins

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!
  4. If chosen, compete at the Global Final in Oxford, UK!

2023 Campus Final Prizes

Email the Map the System Campus Lead, Jordan Li, with any questions: mapthesystem@uwaterloo.ca.

Map the System is an initiative of the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, in partnership with educational institutions across the world.