In partnership with the Built Environment Connective, UKCRIC Services (formally UKCRIC Limited) has launched the first listing of UK courses that apply systems thinking to the built environment to improve and create buildings, infrastructure, and human-made constructions.

The prospectus lists courses that will equip students and professionals to tackle intricate problems and pursue better outcomes from our systemically complex and connected built environment.

The guide includes bachelor’s and master’s degrees with systems-focused content, and it picks out dedicated systems thinking programmes, apprenticeships and executive training modules. It enables students to find relevant options and helps companies connect with universities producing systems capable graduates.

The prospectus was inspired by the recent launch of the UKCRIC-supported report Connect to Change: Systems Thinking in the Built Environment and the absence of a UK institution on systems thinking, which has led to fragmentation of learning in this critical emerging discipline.

This is a first edition, produced using a large language model which was iterated to identify training on systems thinking for the built environment, including synonyms for these terms.  Courses that did not make the listing did not have these terms at their core. An updated version will be produced later this year and annually thereafter. Corrections and suggestions are very welcome to improve the large language model.

Professor Liz Varga, Executive Lead for the UKCRIC collaboration and Director, UKCRIC Services, said:   

“Systems thinking is central to UKCRIC’s mission in addressing complex infrastructure challenges through collaborative transdisciplinary research. This AI prospectus catalogues short courses, degree programmes, apprenticeships and executive training modules with systems-focused content. It serves to highlight the availability of diverse courses and also under-represented areas, like undergraduate degrees and centres for doctoral training. Overall, it provides a fillip to advance systems thinking as a vital component in the training of students and professionals. I am very grateful to colleagues at the Built Environment Connective who have contributed to this first edition.”

Download the prospectus: Systems Thinking in the Built Environment