Intensive programme on systems thinking and modelling
Summer School
SYDIC Summer School
Fourth edition of the Summer School of the Italian Society of System Dynamics
Piacenza
September 14 - 18, 2026
Lifelong Learning
The SYDIC Summer School is part of a broader initiative promoted by the Society to strengthen education and capacity building in Systems Thinking and System Dynamics. This edition continues a path that SYDIC has been actively pursuing in recent years: creating learning opportunities that combine methodological rigour with practical applications, while supporting the growth of a community of scholars, students and practitioners interested in systemic approaches.
Objectives
The Summer School aims to strengthen participants’ ability to understand, represent, and simulate complex systems by integrating theory and practice.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• apply Systems Thinking principles to analyse complex problems;
• develop qualitative and quantitative models (e.g., CLDs and stock-and-flow models);
• run simulations and interpret system behaviour;
• use modelling to explore policies and scenarios in different fields;
• apply their knowledge through a group modelling project.
Programme
The System Dynamic Summer School SYDIC has a five days intensive programme organised into integrated teaching blocks (fundamentals, modelling tools, applications and project work), guiding participants from problem conceptualisation to simulation and the assessment of policies/scenarios.
Summer school will take place at the Residenza Gasparini (Strada dell’Anselma 9, Piacenza) from September 14 (monaday) to September 18 (friday), 2026, for a total of 32 hours, including lectures and practical sessions.
SUMMER SCHEDULE
Monday 14 September 2026
• Introduction & Systems Thinking
Tuesday 15 September 2026
• Foundations of System Dynamics
Wednesday 16 September 2026
• Modelling Practice & Sustainability
Thursday 17 September 2026
• Applications & Project Development
Friday 18 September 2026
• Project Work & Conclusions
Key features
Interactive learning: lectures, discussions, hands-on sessions
From problem framing to simulation and policy insights
Real-world team projects
Applications across sustainability, innovation, and socio-economic systems
International faculty & strong networking opportunities
Info point
Participant profile
Master’s students (graduate students)
interested in tools for complex-systems analysis and simulation;
PhD candidates and early-career researchers
who want to integrate dynamic approaches and policy analysis into their research projects;
Professionals working
in applied research and/or decision-making who intend to use system modelling to support assessments, scenarios and strategies.
Where and when
Residenza Gasparini, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Piacenza, Italy.
September 14-18,2026
REGISTRATION DEADLINE:
Early registration (for discount rates): 2 June
Regular registration: 6 September
Registration fees
450 Vat included early bird (by 2 June): standard fee
375 Vat included early bird (by 2 June): SYDIC members
375 Vat included early bird (by 2 June): PHD students
550 Vat included regular registration (by 6 Sept.): standard fee
465 Vat included regular registration (by 6 Sept.): SYDIC members (20% discount rate)
465 Vat included regular registration (by 6 Sept.): PHD students
Scholarships available
Faculty
SCIENTIFIC COORDINATOR
Antonio Gallo
Full Professor of Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
Stefano Armenia
Associate Professor of Università Telematica degli Studi IUL
Alberto Stanislao Atzori
Full Professor of Università degli Studi di Sassari
Maddalena Canossa
PhD Student in Agrifood System
For further information
Dott.ssa Claudia Vacchelli
Formazione Permanente Piacenza- Cremona
Tel. 0523 599 393
claudia.vacchelli@unicatt.it
Or
Segreteria SYDIC
segreteria@systemdynamics.it
