System Dynamics
WorldTrans: Transparent Assessments for Real people
2023-Present
Research FELLOW
System Dynamics Group,
University of Bergen
Funded by EU’s Horizon Europe, WorldTrans seeks to build new communities of integrated assessment modelling experts and users (citizens and stakeholders alike); include heterogeneous human behaviour in integrated assessment models; identify main feedback loops and policy leverage points for climate-neutrality oriented policies; and produce quantitatively consistent results for various (IPCC and IPBES) assessment processes. I am involved in designing the participatory modelling process with multiple stakeholders (across serveral work packages) and developing an adaptable model on shifts in value systems and behaviour changes towards climate mitigation.
SYNAGRI: Developing synergies between the bioeconomy and regional food systems for a sustainable future
2024-Present
Researcher
System Dynamics Group,
University of Bergen
Along with Assemblage Thinking researchers from Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research and University of Neuchatel, I am involved in exploring the interconnections, synergies, and disjunctures between Systems Thinking and Assemblage Thinking methodological approaches for advancing an integrative framework for food system analysis and transformation. Funded by the Research Council of Norway, this work package of SYNAGRI is interested in understanding how actors are involved in governance, mobilisation, and transformation of social and material relations within food systems.
Transboundary Groundwater Resilience Network Participatory Modeling
2022-2023
CONSULTANT
New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute
I provided consulting and professional services to the Transboundary Groundwater Resilience (TGR) Network of Networks from the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute. I co-designed an introductory systems thinking and system dynamics modeling lecture, and conducted a two-day virtual systems mapping session at the TGRR annual workshop held on September 28-29, 2022. Workshop outputs include a causal loop diagram depicting the mental models of participants, identified research priorities, and results of the evaluation survey of the workshop, which were presented to TGR. Since then, we have used the workshop outputs as a case to advance use-inspired research in water resources through participatory modelling.
Enabling Mobility: Health and Prosthetics Care System for Major Lower Limb Amputees
2022-2023
Researcher
System Dynamics Group,
University of Bergen
A collaborative system dynamics modelling project between University of Bergen, ProsFit Technologies JSC, and Toyota Mobility Foundation. The aim of the research is to computationally represent a country-level health and prosthetic care system for major lower limb amputees for the purpose of improving the access to and outcomes of prosthetics service provision. The model assesses the impact of emerging digital technology in prosthetics in relation to amputee mobility and the net socio-economic benefit accrued to society. This project was conducted as part of my Master Thesis under the supervision of Birigt Kopainsky (University of Bergen) and Paulo Gonçalves (University of Lugano).
Participatory Modelling Workshops
- 2024 October 27. Systems mapping workshop on Meat Consumption. ETH Zurich. Zurich, Switzerland.
- 2023 November 16. Systems mapping workshop on Meat Consumption. System Dynamics Group, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway.
- 2023 May 22-26. Systems mapping workshop on the interconnections between Climate, Economy and Society. Annual Workshop, WorldTrans Consortium. Oslo, Norway.
- 2022 December 5. Systems mapping workshop on Geopolitics. “The extreme is here. Now.” Workshop, Division of Research and Innovation, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway.
- 2022 November 24. Systems mapping workshop on Adolescent Obesity. System Dynamics Group, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway.
- 2022 September 28-29. Systems mapping workshop on Groundwater Depletion. Annual Workshop, Transboundary Groundwater Resilience Network. New Mexico, USA (Virtual).
- 2022 June 9. Systems mapping workshop on Sustainable Development Goals. Bergen Summer Research School 2022, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway (Virtual).
- 2021 November 26 & December 1. Systems mapping workshop on Adolescent Obesity. System Dynamics Group, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway.
- 2021 June 9. Systems mapping workshop on Sustainable Development Goals. Bergen Summer Research School 2021, University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway (Virtual).
Social Research
Purpose and Meaning for Singaporean Society: The Impact of the Future of Work on Individual Purpose and the Role of Education
2019-2021
Research Assistant
Centre for Research in Pedagogy & Practice, National Institute of Education
Funded by the Ministry of Education, this study seeks to understand how diverse society leaders in Singapore are thinking about the future of work and education, especially in relation to finding meaning and purpose within or outside of them. I was involved in literature review, data collection (in-depth interviews) and in the coding and thematic analysis of the collected qualitative data.
Community Mapping of Low Income Neighbourhoods
2018-2020
SOCIAL Research Fellow
Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre, National University of Singapore
Commissioned by Beyond Social Services Singapore, 5 student research fellows were recruited for mapping the Ghim Moh community, where two low-income rental flats were embedded in. We were involved in constructing the community mapping instrument as well as collecting qualitative data (observations and in-depth interviews through snow ball sampling) from residents and organisations in the community. The findings were analysed and reported to the organisation for supporting their community development work.
Love is Respect: Dating Violence Social Research
2016-2017
Social RESEARCH FELLOW
Chua Thian Poh Community Leadership Centre, National University of Singapore
I conducted social research on Dating Violence in Singapore with funding and support from CTPCLC. I kickstarted the project by partnering with PAVE (Promoting Alternatives to Violence) to provide psycho-social education on dating violence in an awareness-raising campaign on campus with the help of 2 other co-organisers and 9 volunteers. During the campaign, I collected quantitative data from over 300 participants to measure their awareness and attitudes toward dating violence.
Jefferson K. Rajah 