Michael Stauffacher: Catalogue data in Spring Semester 2021

Name Prof. Dr. Michael Stauffacher
Address
TdLab
ETH Zürich, CHN K 78
Universitätstrasse 16
8092 Zürich
SWITZERLAND
Telephone+41 44 632 49 07
E-mailmichael.stauffacher@usys.ethz.ch
URLhttp://www.tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/team/person-detail.html?persid=79110
DepartmentEnvironmental Systems Science
RelationshipAdjunct Professor

NumberTitleECTSHoursLecturers
701-0729-00LSocial Research Methods Restricted registration - show details
Target group: students of BSc Environmental Sciences
3 credits2GM. Stauffacher, A. Bearth, O. Ejderyan
AbstractThe aim of this course is to impart methodological principles of social science research and thus to stimulate a critical reflection of social science findings. The course provides an insight into the concrete approach and methods of guideline-based interview techniques and questionnaire research.
ObjectiveStudents are able to
- describe the significance of method-supported procedures in the social sciences.
- explain the basic principles of social-scientific research.
- critically interpret the results of social-scientific research .
- conduct small-scale interviews and surveys via questionnaires.
ContentAlle Teilnehmenden verpflichten sich zur aktiven Mitarbeit in Form von drei Übungen (leitfadengestütztes Interview, Erstellung von Fragebogen, Erhebung und Auswertung von Fragebogen).

Inhaltsübersicht:
(1) Wozu empirische (Sozial-)Forschung?
(2) Der Forschungsablauf im Überblick, verknüpfen von qualitativen und quantitativen Methoden
(3) Leitfadengestützte Interviews: erstellen Leitfaden, Durchführung und Auswertung
(4) Fragebogen: Hypothesen erarbeiten, Fragebogen erstellen, Durchführung, Daten auswerten, und Resultate darstellen
Lecture notesDie Dozierenden arbeiten mit Folien, die als Handout abgegeben werden.
LiteratureZur ergänzenden Begleitlektüre kann folgendes Buch empfohlen werden:
Bryman, A. (2012, 4th edition). Social research methods. New York: Oxford University Press.
701-1502-00LTransdisciplinary Case Study Information Restricted registration - show details
Number of participants limited to 25.

Students have to apply for this course by sending a two-page motivation letter (why are you interested? what do you want to learn? what can you contribute?) to Link and Link (latest by December 31, 2020).

Important: for students in Agricultural Sciences, the case study can replace the compulsory course 751-1000-00L Interdisciplinary Project Work!
7 credits15PM. Stauffacher, P. Krütli
AbstractThis course is a project-oriented and research based teaching activity organized in a real-world setting. Students work on societally relevant problems. Sustainability issues and collaboration between science and society are key.
In 2021, the case area are the Seychelles, a small developing island state (SIDS) in the Indian ocean.
ObjectiveStudents learn how to plan and implement their research work in interdisciplinary and intercultural teams of students. This includes: structure ill defined problems; derive research questions; design research plans; apply qualitative and quantitative methods; work in interdisciplinary and inter-cultural teams; organise transdisciplinary collaboration between research and people from outside academia.
ContentThe Seychelles are a Small Island Developing State (SIDS) in the Indian Ocean comprising some 115 islands spread over a sea area of 1.4 million km2. SIDS share some common characteristics. They are: small in size and economy; are remote and isolated from international markets; are vulnerable against external disturbances and climate change effects. The Seychelles are highly dependent on intact nature. Tourism and fishery are major economic pillars. The Seychelles are in a transformation process from a developing to a developed country.

Between 2012-2015 ARUP, an international consulting company, developed the Strategy Plan Seychelles 2040. The Seychelles Planning Authority (SPA) is currently working on the implementation of the strategy plan. Land use planning is currently major activity.

The preparation of the case study happens in close collaboration with the SPA. SPA is major partner of the case study in order to secure that the research is relevant for the local context. TdLab and SPA agreed on Sustainable Land Use as umbrella theme. Topics to look at may include transport infrastructure, tourism, conservation, housing, agriculture, etc. all of them relevant for sustainable land use.

This is the third time that the transdisciplinary case study is organized in the Seychelles. In 2016 and 2018 we were working on solid waste management. See: https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/former/cs2016.html
https://tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs/former/cs2018.html

There is a video which explains the core elements of the transdisciplinary case study. See: http://www.tdlab.usys.ethz.ch/teaching/tdcs.html
Prerequisites / NoticeThe case study 2020 had to be discontinued due to Corona and postponed to 2021.

The number of participants is limited. Students have to apply for this course by sending a two-page motivation letter. The letter should refer to: Why are you interested? What do you want to learn? What can you contribute to? The latter may include particular skills you have the case study could benefit from. Please send the letter to michael.stauffacher@usys.ethz.ch and pius.kruetli@usys.ethz.ch (latest by December 31, 2020).

Important: for students in Agricultural Sciences, the case study can replace the compulsory course 751-1000-00L Interdisciplinary Project Work!
744-0101-00LModule 1: Systems Thinking Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, D. N. Bresch, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the first of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. Each module is designed to focus on a particular methodology and a specific theme related to climate risk and sustainable development. Each module is titled after the methodological focus of each module. The focus of this module is systems thinking.
ObjectiveThe focus of this first module is to introduce participants to a fundamental way of tackling complexity and analyzing the world using systems thinking.

The learning objectives are to:
- Understand and apply systems thinking to strategic decision making scenarios.
- Analyze decision making processes within participants’ institutional settings.
- Identify common core concepts that connects challenges experienced by each participant’s decision making situation.
ContentCollect decision making challenges within the working context of each participant by applying concepts from systems thinking. The methods that are likely to be used are storytelling, rich picture creation from soft systems methodology, concept mapping, qualitative systems modeling, and peer feedback.
LiteratureIncludes selected readings from:

Midgley, G. (2000). Systemic intervention. In Systemic Intervention (pp. 113-133). Springer, Boston, MA.
Senge, P. M. (2006). The Fifth Discipline (2nd ed.). New York: Random House.
Vester, F. (1988). The biocybernetic approach as a basis for planning our environment. Systems Practice, 1(4), 399–413. http://doi.org/10.1007/BF01066582

Additional readings and exercises will be announced in class.
Prerequisites / NoticeAll 9 modules must be completed to obtain the Certificate of Advanced Studies.
744-0104-00LModule 4: Design Thinking Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the fourth of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. The focus of this module is on the application of design thinking for creating strategy prototypes to confront complex problems.
ObjectiveThe focus of this fourth module is to introduce participants to design thinking as a means of collaborative problem solving.

The learning objectives are to:
- Learn design thinking through experiencing it.
- Identify insights as the basis of problem definition using design thinking methodology.
- Refine problem definitions based on insights.
- Develop first iteration “solutions” to problem definitions.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompletion of Modules 1-3.
All modules must be completed in order to receive the certificate.
744-0105-00LModule 5: Decisions Heuristics and Systems Thinking Review Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the fifth of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. The focus of this module is to apply insights from decisions heuristics and systems thinking in order to develop evaluative criteria for the refinement and selection of strategy prototypes.
ObjectiveThe focus of this fifth module is to introduce participants to the heuristics, biases and processes that both individuals and groups encounter in making decisions. Contrasting views of heuristics decision making, as well as the theory of collective action will be used as the background for developing this understanding. These processes will also be linked back to systems thinking.

The learning objectives are to:
- Understand major theories of decision heuristics as it applies to both individuals and groups.
- Connect these theories to systems thinking.
- Develop and refine further solutions to problem definitions.
- Apply decision heuristics and systems thinking to review and select solutions.
LiteratureIncludes selected readings from:

Gigerenzer, G., Todd, P. M., ABC Research Group. (1999). Simple Heuristics that Make Us Smart. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Ostrom, E. (2015). Governing the Commons (2nd ed.). Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1986). Rational Choice and the Framing of Decisions. The Journal of Business, 59(4). http://doi.org/10.2307/2352759?refreqid=search-gateway:7ccb9066b95a8996e388dda0e571d13d

Additional reading and exercises will be announced in class.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompletion of Modules 1-4.
All modules must be completed in order to receive the certificate.
744-0106-00LModule 6: Prototyping I Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the sixth of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. The focus of this module is to make strategy prototypes concrete by creating first-level versions of the ideas.
ObjectiveThis focus of this sixth module is to continue working with the first set of solutions identified from the previous module. Based on the accumulated knowledge from the inputs already given, participants refine problem statements and brainstorm a second iteration of possible solutions to these problem statements.

The learning objectives are to:
- Refine and finalize problem statements in groups.
- Create a first-level prototype of a solution to the problem statement.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompletion of Modules 1-5.
All modules must be completed in order to receive the certificate.
744-0108-00LModule 8: Prototyping II Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the eighth of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. The focus of this module is to change and revise prototypes based on new insights during group work between modules.
ObjectiveThe focus of this eighth module is to create second-level prototypes, building on insights obtained from making and analyzing first-level prototypes.

The learning objectives are to:
- Create second-level prototypes that will be ready to test in the real world outside of the classroom.
- Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the working process.
- Document the collaboration process.
- Create a plan for refining prototypes before the final presentation.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompletion of Modules 1-7.
All modules must be completed in order to receive the certificate.
744-0109-00LModule 9: Final Presentation/Output Rounds Restricted registration - show details
Only for CAS in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty.
1 credit1GB. B. Pearce, D. N. Bresch, M. Stauffacher
AbstractThis is the last of nine modules for the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Collaborative Decision Making Under Uncertainty. The final versions of the strategy prototypes will be presented to the public and discussed during this session.
ObjectiveThe focus of this ninth module is to present, discuss, and reflect on the prototypes developed over the course of the CAS.

The presentations will be open to the public on Friday.

The learning objectives are to:
- Practice communicating ideas of how to engage with uncertainty in strategic decision making.
- Reflect and draw insights from the experience of working in collaboration with others.
- Establish next steps for improved decision making in the future on an individual and organizational level.
Prerequisites / NoticeCompletion of Modules 1-8
All modules must be completed in order to receive the certificate.
744-0500-00LGroup Work between Modules Restricted registration - show details 1 credit11AB. B. Pearce, D. N. Bresch, M. Stauffacher
AbstractBetween each of the nine modules that are a part of the CAS CDM, participants are expected to work on their group projects together. This amount of time should amount to 150 hours in total. Groups will be able to determine the topic and direction of this work during the in-class sessions
ObjectiveThe learning objectives are to:
- Test concepts and methods discussed in-class in the real world.
- Identify differences between theory and practice in the application of these methods.
- Create and test viability of prototypes developed in-class.
Prerequisites / NoticeAccompanies Modules 1-9 as an obligatory element of coursework.