Map the System

First place winners of the Map the System Global Final 2025 was team Wesleyan University. Their project presented a compelling systems analysis of how Jakarta’s fight against sinking land and water scarcity are deeply connected and stood out to the judges for its powerful example of systems thinking of water injustice in action. 

Research team: Marcus Leong, Miho Yamashita and Eowyna Hermawan

Problem statement: 

‘Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, is the world’s fastest-sinking city. Nearly half of the coastal city now lies below sea level, and with a sinking rate averaging 15 cm per year, experts warn that 95% of its northern region will be submerged by 2050. Frequent flooding threatens the livelihood and economy of millions. Paradoxically, Jakarta’s 11 million residents are also battling water scarcity. One in three of Jakarta’s residents lack access to piped, sanitary water due to an incompetent water supply system. Our research analyzes the causes of both Jakarta’s land subsidence and water depletion, synthesizing the two problems into one complex and intersectoral system by utilizing Map The System thinking and visualizations to approach the problem. We aim to highlight obscured links, actors, and structures, exploring how Jakarta can escape its fate of sinking in the search for water.’ 

The team from Vanderbilt University earned second place at the 2025 Map the System Global Final for their in-depth analysis of climate vulnerability among Mongolian herders. Their project presented a compelling systems analysis of how Mongolia’s nomadic herders are increasingly vulnerable to dzud, a harsh and recurring climate disaster.

Research team: Aminta Permpoonwiwat, Namuun Zolbadrakh, Garid Mendbayar and Anudari Naran-ochir

Problem statement: 

‘Approximately 300,000 people—one in five Mongolian households—rely on nomadic pastoralism for income. These herders support over 80% of agricultural production and 13% of national GDP. Yet, their livelihoods are increasingly threatened by dzud, a recurring climate disaster unique to Mongolia.The 2023–2024 dzud was the worst in nearly 50 years, affecting 90% of the country and killing over 7.2 million animals. These losses have devastating economic and psychosocial impacts, pushing families into poverty and driving rural-to-urban migration. Our project asks the question: What are the root causes that deepen Mongolian herders’ vulnerability to dzud?' 

Third place winners of the Map the System Global Final 2025 was team University of Calgary. Their project offered a powerful systems analysis of Alberta’s surgical backlog for hip and knee replacements, uncovering the deeper structural failures driving long wait times. The work sheds light on how clinical realities and policy strategy must align to improve patient care across the province.

Research team: Sunand Kannappan, Taro Lakra, Amy Chen, Howard Leong, and Kapilan Panchendrabose

Problem statement: 

‘Surgical wait times for hip and knee replacements in Alberta have reached crisis levels, prompting high-profile resignations and growing public concern. In response, our team partnered closely with Alberta's largest hip & knee clinic to investigate not only the visible surgical backlog but also the systemic causes driving it. Our analysis reveals that these delays are not merely operational inefficiencies but structural failures requiring cross-system collaboration. This work aims to spark actionable change by aligning clinical realities with policy strategy, ultimately improving care for thousands of patients across Alberta. '