In September 2024, the European Systemic Design Lab (ESDL) workshop brought us to Oslo! Students from L'École de design Nantes Atlantique, OsloMet – storbyuniversitetet, and Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin came together for an intensive one-week project focused on health and fishing sustainability.

During the workshop, we applied our systemic design skills in practice, collaborating with local organizations such as ScaleAQ, OceanLab Oslo, and the Re-duce Oceanize project to explore topics in aquaculture and innovative approaches to reducing plastic. After an introduction to systemic design by Birger Sevaldson, participants used the "Soft System Method" by Peter Checkland and John Poulter, with an emphasis on the PQR formula and Root Definitions, guided by Ayşe Kaplan Sarısaltık.

However, the week wasn’t just about theory and practice—team building and cultural exchange were also central to the experience. A hike to Ullevålseter rewarded us with the famous deer stew, and the bravest among us took an icy plunge from a three-meter tower after a sauna session at the Oslo Fjord!

In addition to the students’ work, we advanced the ESDL curriculum and prepared for Cumulus Nantes 2025. Collaborating with my fantastic colleagues Prof. Pelin Celik Celik, Sebastian Feucht, Olivia Hidalgo Miranda, Kristin Støren Wigum, Tore Gulden, Marie Piet, and Mikael LE TOHIC from Oslo, Berlin, and Nantes was a true highlight. Together, we engaged in meaningful discussions and pushed forward key initiatives for the future of systemic design education.

A heartfelt thank you to Kristin Støren Wigum, Tore Gulden, Ingelin Åmo, Julia Jacoby, and Simona Brozmanová for hosting such a successful workshop!