Map the System 2025: Wesleyan University Takes First Place
Winning project maps the links between Jakarta’s sinking crisis and water scarcity
In a competition shaped by thinking about the complex systems affecting our world, a team from Wesleyan University has emerged as the winner of the Map the System Global Final 2025.
Their project, “Between Sinking & Scarcity: A Dual Crisis of Water in Jakarta, Indonesia” offered 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.
Congratulations to Marcus Leong, Miho Yamashita and Eowyna Hermawan on their win.
2025 Final Standings:
- Between Sinking & Scarcity: A Dual Crisis of Water in Jakarta, Indonesia, Wesleyan University — £5,000
- Frozen Fates: Unravelling the cycle of vulnerability to dzud in Mongolia, Vanderbilt University — £4,000
- Disjointed - Alberta's Hip & Knee Crisis, University of Calgary — £3,500
Each of the finalists brought a distinct perspective to the stage, reflecting the diversity of systems shaping our world today, from politics to health to human rights.
An honourable mention to the following teams who receive Excellence Awards from the judges:
Systems Mapping and Analysis Excellence Award Winners:
- University of Queensland
- University of Oxford
- Portland State University
- John Hopkins University
- ESADE
Outstanding Storytelling Excellence Award Winners:
- Swarthmore College
- North Dakota State University
- University of Haifa
- University of Leeds
- American University of Cairo
Involvement of Underrepresented Voices Excellence Award Winners:
- University of Waterloo
- Principia College
- Universidad Anahuac
- Ashesi University
- Mount Royal University
Nick Gregg, The Skoll Centre's Senior Manager for Impact Education, said:
“It’s been incredible to witness the dedication and insight each team brought to Map the System this year. Congratulations to our winners Wesleyan University, and well done to every student who took part. Although the competition has come to a close, at the Skoll Centre we see this as just the beginning – we know that the understanding and skills you’ve developed here will continue to shape your journeys as changemakers in the years ahead.”
Explore the winning entry here: https://skollcentre-resources.sbs.ox.ac.uk/mts-2025-winner/
