Systems Thinking in, and for, Public Health: The “Broader Path”

Dr Erica Wirrmann Gadsby — Associate Professor of Public Health, University of Stirling; programme lead for the online MPH; co-author of the “broader path” paper. Her work spans health improvement, policy/implementation and systems approaches.
Dr Helen Wilding — Systems practitioner and researcher; co-author of the “broader path” paper, with long-standing experience applying systems thinking to wellbeing, partnership working and public services.

About the speakersPeople working across health, social care, HSCP/NHS, local government, the third sector and communities who want practical ways to work in complexity and tackle inequalities.

Many public health problems are complex and cross-cutting. In this session, Dr Erica Wirrmann Gadsby and Dr Helen Wilding — co-authors of Systems thinking in, and for, public health: a call for a broader path — will introduce the broader path of systems thinking and what it looks like in practice. Expect plain-English concepts, real-world examples, and space to reflect on how this approach can support equity-focused work, stronger partnerships, and more legitimate change processes in local systems.

We’ll consider:

Who it’s for
• What the broader path is — and when it helps
• Simple ways to see the system: patterns, relationships, leverage points
• How to apply systems thinking alongside existing public health practice
• What this could mean for programmes, partnerships and shared impact

This free seminar is part of the Living Well Seminar Series, organised by the Communities Working Together branch of the Living Well Partnership. Our hope is to bring inspirational international speakers to spark ideas and inspire colleagues from across Argyll and Bute to explore key concepts shaping health, wellbeing, and community practice.