The newest podcast episode will focus on how we understanding complex dynamic systems in the world. Professor Pål Davidsen from Bergen University in Norway and professor Andra Blumberga from Riga Technical University in Latvia will reflect on topic about dynamic systems. Discussion is moderated by Dr. Kārlis Valters from the Riga Technical University.

Most systems in nature, as well as in societies, are dynamic, i.e., they change over time. We, human beings, have a limited capacity to understand and imagine the complexity of such systems or the interactions that take place. To study these systems, scientists try to represent the reality in computer models. In doing so, they identify the mechanisms and interactions in the real-world systems and build structures of the systems. It is a problem-oriented approach, scientists try to find the underlying cause of the problem and what changes in the system to make to solve it.

What is the dynamic in ecology, for example, in the system deer-plants-predators? How a country can overcome an “addiction” to imported fossil fuels? How saving money on ventilation in schools affects the learning of children and ultimately the GDP of the country? How to solve the conflict between wildlife and people in Africa? System dynamics can provide answers to these and many other questions.