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CSDNet is supported by the Boorstein Fund for System Dynamics, a gift to Cornell from alumnus Allen Boorstein (ENGR ’46)

Welcome to CSDNet

The last half-century has witnessed tremendous growth in the number of advocates of “systems thinking” as a more appropriate way to address social, economic and environmental problems System Dynamics (SD) is a broadly applicable approach to problem solving that underlies “systems thinking”. Using SD, a real-life problem can be expressed as a feedback model that can help to facilitate understanding of how a problem developed over time, and to suggest lasting solutions to the problem.

The Cornell System Dynamics Network (CSDNet) is a group of faculty, students and staff from various departments with an interest in the application of systems modeling and systems thinking in research, instruction, outreach and administration. Current CSDNet activities emphasize the application of system dynamics in research. CSDNet undertakes the following activities:

• SD Seminar Series (usually Friday afternoons): invited speakers present seminars on applications of SD to diverse research and policy questions.



• SD Course Development: An introductory course in System Dynamics was offered and Fall 2004 through the Department of Applied Economics and Management. CSDNet has also facilitated access to the courses offered through the well-regarded distance education program offered through Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in Worcester, MA.



• SD Discussion Group (Meets on ocassional Wednesday or Friday afternoons): informal presentation and discussion of SD issues and projects. Anyone can suggest or present a topic.



• SD Mentorship Program: facilitates collaboration between interested Cornell researchers and a collaborator trained in SD to assist with the completion of a specific research project



• SD Library Acquisition Project: Expands the collection of SD-related print materials in the University library system and sets up an electronic database of non-copyrighted materials.

If you are interested in knowing more about CSDNet activities, please contact Chuck Nicholson, the CSDNet Coordinator. To join the CSDNet email list, please send an email to cfn1@cornell.edu

Additional Documents about System Dynamics at Cornell University:

• System Dynamics at Cornell: Vision and Barriers
• Cornell System Dynamics Network: Status Report October 2003

If you are interested in learning more about system dynamics basics, places to start are:

1. http://www.stewardshipmodeling.com/
2. http://www.systemdynamics.org.