Training Opportunity: Institute on Systems Science and Health May 3-8, 2009 Ann Arbor, Michigan Organized by University of Michigan Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health Center for the Study of Complex Systems National Association of Chronic Disease Directors with guidance and support from the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and the CDC Syndemics Prevention Network 2nd EXTENSION: APPLICATIONS NOW DUE FEBRUARY 27, 2009 Application Information Available: www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3811 OBJECTIVE: To provide investigators with a thorough introduction to selected systems science methodologies that may be used to study behavioral and social dimensions of public health. Participants in the week-long Institute will focus on one of three methodologies: agent-based modeling, system dynamics modeling, or network analysis. The CURRICULUM will help participants: • Better understand systems science in general and different methodological traditions, including their strengths, limitations, and types of problems for which they are best suited; • Work through specific problems using their chosen methodology and become familiar with relevant software package(s); • Appreciate the potential for applying systems science methodologies to problems of population health and disease, especially those in which behavioral and social factors figure prominently; • Prepare stronger applications to funders such as NIH, CDC, and philanthropies in those areas where systems science, behavioral and social processes, and population health intersect. COSTS The NIH Office of Behavioral Sciences Research will pay for travel to and from the Institute site, room and board, and all course materials. There are no additional fees although participants are asked to furnish their own laptop computer; a limited number of laptops will be available on loan to students who do not have an appropriately configured laptop. Family members may accompany participants at their own expense. However, please note that the curriculum activities will be open only to enrolled students, so family members are encouraged to make their own arrangements for daytime activities THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA have been modified as follows: - U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is no longer a requirement. HOWEVER, note that expenses will be paid for domestic (within the U.S.) travel only. Preference will be given to applicants who plan to use the training to inform research on health problems facing the U.S. population. - The requirement that applicants have at least one year of post-doctoral experience in academia, private industry, non-profit, or government has been dropped. Post-doctoral experience is no longer required. - The requirement that applicants have completed a Ph.D., M.D., or equivalent terminal degree within their field has been modified; the new criteria is that applicants have completed or are currently enrolled in a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent terminal degree within their field. - The following criterion has not changed: Have identified one or more problems in public health to which they would like to apply systems science methodologies. Application Process All application materials must be submitted electronically. A complete application packet must include: 1. One Application Cover Sheet with applicant signature 2. Curriculum Vitae 3. Two letters of recommendation • Letters should come from individuals who have worked professionally with the candidate within the last two to three years. • Letters can be from deans, department chairs, mentors, division chiefs, supervisors, colleagues etc. 4. Brief Personal statement of career interests and how this Institute fits into these interests as well as a summary of prior learning related to systems science methodologies. 5. Research interests, including a succinct statement of a research question that you feel would benefit from one or more of the three systems science methodologies highlighted in the Institute. Submit your application materials online at www.chronicdisease.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3811 FACULTY: Faculty consist of leading experts (practitioners and teachers) with extensive methodological experience. The Institute Organizers and Track leaders are: Institute Planning Committee: George A. Kaplan, Ph.D. University of Michigan Carl Simon, Ph.D. University of Michigan Patricia Mabry, Ph.D. National Institutes of Health Bobby Milstein, Ph.D., M.P.H. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Robert Smariga National Assn. of Chronic Disease Directors Track Leaders: Agent-based Modeling Rick Riolo, Ph.D. University of Michigan System Dynamics Modeling Nathaniel Osgood, Ph.D. University of Saskatchewan Network Analysis Thomas Valente, Ph.D. University of Southern California Additional faculty and Institute-wide speakers will be announced at a later date. Program Information The Institute will feature plenary sessions on topics of general interest as well as hands-on and in-depth training in specific tracks. On the application form, participants will rank their preference for one or more tracks: (1) Agent-Based Modeling; (2) System Dynamics Modeling; or (3) Network Analysis. All tracks will provide an introduction to the relevant methodology with examples drawn from public health. Ample time will be provided for participants to network and form collaborations that will last beyond the course itself. Background and Resources The Institute builds on prior efforts of the organizers and sponsors to raise awareness among behavioral and social scientists about the potential uses for systems science methodologies to improve population health (see Mabry et al., 2008, http://www.ajpm-online.net/article/S0749-3797(08)00431-5/abstract) . In 2007, the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with various NIH components produced a four-part lecture series entitled: 2007 Symposia Series on Systems Science and Health. This symposia series is aimed at introducing systems science to behavioral and social scientists for applications in health and is available indefinitely as a public resource via videocast (see below). In May 2007, the University of Michigan Center for Social Epidemiology and Population Health and Center for the Study of Complex Systems hosted a two-day conference sponsored by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute for Child Health and Human Development, the National Cancer Institute, and the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research at NIH, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Here are links to these videocasts: Systems Methodologies for Solving Real-World Problems: Applications in Public Health To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss032207.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13712 Network Analysis: Using Connections and Structures to Understand and Change Health Behaviors To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss061207.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13878 Agent Based Modeling: Population Health from the Bottom Up To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss071307.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13931 System Dynamics Modeling: Population Flows, Feedback Loops and Health To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/ss083007.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=14005 Complex Systems Approaches to Population Health DAY 1: To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/complex053007.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13867 DAY 2: To view videocast with Real Player follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/ram/complex053107.ram To download Video or Audio Podcast follow this link: http://www.videocast.nih.gov/Summary.asp?File=13869 If you experience difficulty accessing these videocasts, contact Patty Mabry at mabryp@od.nih.gov.