2026-06-08

June 8 (the second Monday of the month) is the 140th meeting for Systems Thinking Ontario. This will be a hybrid session. The registration will be at https://guild.host/events/synthesis-map-showcase-ofj8ry

Synthesis Map Showcase (session 1 of 3)

As part of a Systems Thinking Ontario tradition, we will be hosting students from OCADU's Strategic Foresight & Innovation (SFI) program to share recently-completed synthesis maps (as well as Map the System projects) for the monthly sessions in June, July, and August.

Presentation #1 [synthesis map] Crossing the Community Threshold (2026)

Dina Abu Khalil, Yashar Behroozi, Roxanne Clavero, Chloe Lim, Victoria Stacey

This synthesis map shows how different systems such as housing instability, lack of third spaces, and neoliberal economic pressures-interact to weaken community connection in Toronto. It uses feedback loops and structures to explain why people struggle to build relationships, highlighting barriers like time scarcity, digital substitution, and displacement. The map also identifies leverage points, showing how repeated local interactions and shared responsibility can rebuild trust and stronger communities.

Presentation #2 [system report]: Intimate Infrastructures & the Chemsex Syndemic (2026)

Carl Meschino

My system is observed as a socio-technical system, one that looks at the intersection of online connections (geosocial dating/hookup applications), sexual behaviours, and substance use, specifically for men who sleep with men (MSM) who pair crystal meth use with sex (chemsex). It explores how the chemsex syndemic affects mental and sexual health issues in MSM, and how it is exacerbated in today's age of tech. Grindr is the geosexual application of focus of this system. 

Registration (& Virtual Link)

• Monday, June 8, 2026 6:30pm to 8:15pm.

• All attendees and presenters must register here: https://guild.host/events/synthesis-map-showcase-ofj8ry

• For those attending or presenting virtually*, you will receive a Microsoft Teams invite/virtual link before the session.

Venue (for In-Person)

• Room 115* (first floor up the stairs from lobby), 205 Richmond Street West, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V3

*Please understand that this will be the hosts first time using a fully hybrid room and there may be technical difficulties in the setup.

Suggested pre-readings / audio / video

• Jones, Peter and Bowes, Jeremy (2017) Rendering systems visible for design: Synthesis maps as constructivist design narratives. She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation, 3 (3). pp. 229-248. ISSN 24058726 Available at http://openresearch.ocadu.ca/id/eprint/2131/

Agenda

Post-meeting artifacts

Bloggers are encouraged to write about their learning and experiences at the meeting. Links will be added to this page.