Eva Paola Kvist Campos
🚀 "Passionate systems thinker tackling complex problems with real-world impact. Focused on sustainable transport hubs & designing better systems for a connected, resilient future." #SystemsThinking #Sustainability #Transport #Complexity
How did you first encounter systems thinking, and what made it "click" for you?
Throughout my career, I’ve working on big, complex challenges, always seeing things through a systems lens but in an unstructured way. It wasn’t until I started framing my Ph.D. research that I truly realized the need to approach problems structurally and systemically. Thereafter, I started studying systems theory and right after found an MIT course that open a new way of seeing the world, and from that moment, I knew it was the right path for my work.
What is a misconception about systems thinking that you wish more people understood?
That it is complicated. But at its core, elements, connections, and the greater purpose they serve together. If we start seeing these in our daily lives…at work, in society, even in nature,then systems thinking becomes much more intuitive.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone new to systems thinking, what would it be?
Start by observing the world around you. Identify something you think is a system, for example, your workplace, a city, even a family. What are its key elements? How do they connect? How do these relationships change over time? Then, get a good read on what is to think in systems and how different approaches can be used to better understand systems, and most importantly, connect with others in the field. The best insights often come from discussions with people applying systems thinking in different ways.
Can you share a moment when systems thinking changed how you approached a real-world problem?
One of the biggest shifts for me has been in how I understand health and habits. Systems thinking helped me see not just to gain deeper understanding of connections or immediate effects but delays, feedback loops, and unintended consequences. For example, the impact of lifestyle choices such as exercise, diet, stress, doesn’t show up instantly, but over time, in ways we don’t always expect. Understanding these cause and effect chains has helped me make better long term decisions today, beyond just work. And also, has made me question why are not learning systems from early school years – it makes so much sense and much more interesting many school subjects.
What is one book, tool, or resource that significantly shaped your journey in systems?
I have two books I come back to quite often, Thinking in Systems by Donella Meadows and Business Dynamics by John Sterman. The first one even though introductory it helped me to really see systems everywhere and the importance of further understanding them. The second one, more technical, but incredibly useful for my work. And beyond books, the System Dynamics Society has been an invaluable community full of inspiring people, deep discussions, and a willingness to share knowledge.
