News Archive

News that appeared on the Society homepage

An article about the Whirlwind Computer (2010-03-08)

An article about the Whirlwind Computer, along with a photo including Jay Forrester is featured in the section "This Day in Tech" on the website. The title of the article is "March 8, 1955: The Mother of All Operating Systems."

System Dynamics in use at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark (2009-12-10)

The Climate Rapid Overview and Decision-support Simulator (C-ROADS) was developed by Drew Jones, Beth Sawin, and Lori Siegel of the Sustainability Institute, Tom Fiddaman of Ventana Systems, and John Sterman of the System Dynamics Group at MIT.

The C-ROADS simulation calculates the long-term climate impacts of proposals under consideration in the negotiations to produce a global climate treaty.

See the figure at left or this link for updates on the impact of current emissions reduction proposals.

Jorgen Randers Awarded "Academics' Prize 2009" by Akademikerne (2009-11-16)

Academics Prize Winner 2009 Jorgen Randers Jorgen Randers was recently awarded the Norwegian "Academics' Prize 2009" for his contribution to foster academic freedom, and his focus on the importance of knowledge for sound societal development.

This is the second time this prestigious prize has been awarded. For forty years Randers, presently Professor of Climate Strategy at the Norwegian School of Management, has researched environmental issues. Randers holds an MS in Physics from the University of Oslo and a PhD in Management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was first noticed internationally as coauthor of the book Limits to Growth in 1972. Later, in the 1980s, he was President of the Norwegian School of Management. Recently he chaired the "Low Emissions Commission," appointed by the Norwegian Cabinet, reporting in 2006 on how Norway may reduce its climate emissions by two-thirds before 2050.

The prize was awarded by Akademikerne, an umbrella union for employees with academic degrees (labor organization for physicians, architects, engineers, MBAs, etc.) having in total some 150,000 members. For more information online, click here. Congratulation Jorgen.

National Geographic Magazine Features Article on the “Carbon Bathtub” and John Sterman (2009-11-16)

The work John Sterman has led at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and with Climate Interactive on mental models of climate change will be featured in the "Big Idea" section of the National Geographic Magazine, December issue.

The magazine's graphics and artwork convey these complex ideas clearly. The online article, which is already available, includes a link to the online version of C-ROADS; in print this article will be found on pages 26-29.

Please visit Climate Interactive – The Blog to see this and other posts. Congratulations to everyone involved.

System Dynamics Society Applications Award 2009 to Ken Cooper and Greg Lee for Work at Fluor Corporation (~ 2009-09-11)

Applications Award 2009 The International System Dynamics Society awarded its 2009 Applications Award to Kenneth Cooper of Cooper Associates, Milford NH, and Gregory Lee of Fluor Corporation, Aliso Viejo CA. The Applications Award is presented for the best application of system dynamics, and is one of the preeminent awards in the field of dynamic simulation modeling. The international panel of judges unanimously selected Cooper and Lee’s “Managing the Dynamics of Projects and Changes at Fluor” as the best modeling application from nominees around the world.

Cooper and Lee designed, built, tested, and implemented a model-based system to aid project management at Fluor Corporation. Fluor is one of the world’s largest Engineering and Construction firms, with 2008 revenues over $20 Billion. The US-based firm operates in every major business sector and geography. (More information about the award, link to the paper)

John Sterman received the Jamieson Award for Excellence in Teaching (~ 2009-07-03)

June 2009. Professor John Sterman, Jay W. Forrester Professor of Management has received the Jamieson Award for Excellence in Teaching at the MIT Sloan School of Business and Management. It is given annually to two MIT Sloan faculty members for their contribution to teaching excellence. The award is endowed by Burgess Jamieson, MIT class of 1962.

Congratulations John!

Link to MIT News Page

Yaman Barlas received the 2008 best teaching award of Bogaziçi University (~ 2009-06-18)

Professor Yaman Barlas received the 2008 best teaching award of Bogaziçi University. Up to two faculty members from four main colleges are offered the award each year. Professor Barlas' affiliation is with the Industrial Engineering Department where he teaches simulation and system dynamics courses. This is the second time Yaman Barlas received this teaching excellence award, the first being in 2006.

Dennis Meadows Wins Japan Prize for Work Initiated within the MIT System Dynamics Group (~ 2009-02-16)

The Japan Prize is awarded to people from all parts of the world whose original and outstanding achievements in science and technology are recognized as having advanced the frontiers of knowledge and served the cause of peace and prosperity for mankind. Dennis Meadows is recognized for his work on "Transformation towards a sustainable society in harmony with nature."

More information:
    Citation for the award
    Link to the Japan Prize page
    Energy Bulletin - Dr. Dennis Meadows wins prestigious Japan Prize

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