Systems Thinking with Amanda Woolley
(in person at Abundant Earth)
Amanda, a facilitator and coach who helps individuals and groups work well together, make effective decisions, and thrive with compassion and clarity with a PhD in decision-making psychology will be running a course here on Systems Thinking, which has had a massive influence on permaculture thinking from pioneers in that discipline such as Donella Meadows and Howard T Odum who delved deeply into systems including ecosystems and even coined the term sustainability. Whilst writing my permaculture principles book I did a bit of a deeper dive into Systems Thinking so I am super excited to be hosting this course.
Amanda says about the course…rather than breaking problems into isolated parts, Systems Thinking invites us to observe the dynamic relationships and patterns that shape the behaviour of whole systems—whether organisations, communities, or ecosystems. You’ll explore feedback loops, unintended consequences, and leverage points, shifting from linear cause-and-effect thinking to a more holistic, relational perspective.
Through practical exercises and reflective discussion, the course helps you develop a mindset for navigating complexity with curiosity, humility, and care. Instead of trying to control or analyse systems, we’ll practice engaging with them—seeing interconnections, embracing multiple viewpoints, and responding adaptively.