Abstract for: Australasia Chapter Poster Presentation

Members of the Australasian Chapter have been working on a variety of research projects and consulting assignments over the past 12 months. Much of this work was presented at the Chapter’s annual research colloquium in Sydney in February. The research projects that members worked on reflect the issues that are currently facing the nation. These include: - constraints in the workforce; - water resource use; - education (agent based & system dynamics); - health and the aging population; - clinical reasoning and pain management. Much of this work will be presented at the Athens conference. Apart from research and consulting projects, members of the Chapter have been working with universities and the business and government communities to continue to educate people as to the uses and advantages of system dynamics. Mark Heffernan and Tim Haslett have been working with the University of Technology, Sydney in developing and running a Systems Thinking Course. Mark, Geoff McDonnell and Derek Burrows ran an introductory SD course in Sydney in February, attracting over 30 participants from Australia and New Zealand. Alan McLucas continues to support SD in Canberra. Over the coming year it is hoped to build the Chapter both in size and recognition. Working with the major Australian business schools is seen as paramount importance in achieving this goal.