Leading Systemic Change | Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET)

Why this course:

Organizations and societies are increasingly confronted with complex, interconnected challenges that require more than technical solutions alone. Leading Systemic Change is a 10-ECTS programme that equips learners with the skills and perspectives needed to navigate such complexity.

The course integrates systems thinking and change-making, using a challenge-based approach in which participants work on a real-world case provided by an external partner. You will learn to holistically assess system behaviour—considering technical, human, political, environmental, and resource-related dynamics, while also developing the cognitive, behavioural, and affective skills needed to facilitate change processes.

The course helps you understand why ambitious innovation plans often struggle in practice, and how to effectively mobilize stakeholders, span boundaries, act inclusively, and avoid simplistic solutions to “wicked” problems. This makes the programme ideal for learners and professionals who want to strengthen their ability to lead responsible, evidence-informed change within teams, organizations, and broader socio-technical systems.

Throughout the programme, you develop your personal profile as a system thinker and a change agent:

What are your strengths and skills in leading change?
How do stakeholder dynamics support—or hinder—systemic change?
How do you persuade, engage, and motivate others?
How can you see the whole system from multiple viewpoints?

For whom: This course is open to learners from any programme or professional background who want to develop capabilities in systems thinking, organizational change, and strategic transformation. It is well suited for graduates or professionals in engineering, management, public administration, design, and related fields who work with organizational or societal transitions.

From whom: The programme is coordinated by Kostas Nizamis, Nina Trauernicht (Faculty of Engineering Technology), and Pauline Weritz (Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences). Sessions are supported by academic staff and guest experts who share practical insights on systems innovation and change leadership.

Practical information: The course is offered physically at the University of Twente. Participants can expect a dynamic schedule of workshops, supervised project sessions, and interactive learning activities. Some variation in scheduling may occur due to the involvement of external challenge providers.

Literature: Due to the specific nature of this programme, there is not specific course material available in print. Required material will be provided online throughout the programme.

Location: University of Twente, Enschede, NL

Duration: The programme takes place in Quarter 4, corresponding to 10 EC (approximately 280 hours of study).

Costs: € 4131 (10 ECs * € 413,13)

More in depth information on this course is in our online course catalogue Osiris : link to osiris course information. For questions regarding course content, please contact: Kostas Nizamis (k.nizamis@utwente.nl).

Do you want to register for this course? Find the course registration form here

Meet your teachers:
	Dr.ir. Konstantinos (Kostas) Nizamis Assistant Professor Multidisciplinary Design Kostas specializes in Systems Engineering with a strong focus on multidisciplinary communication, systems thinking, and healthcare systems engineering. His research explores how various stakeholders can collaborate more effectively in the development of complex socio-technical systems. By studying communication barriers across disciplines and developing intuitive, visual tools, he aims to make system complexity more manageable and actionable for both technical and non-technical audiences. Through both research and teaching, Kostas is committed to enabling professionals to navigate complexity, reason systemically, and lead informed, responsible change. More information on his teaching and research can be found here: https://research.utwente.nl/en/persons/konstantinos-nizamis
	Dr. Pauline Weritz Assistant Professor Responsible Digital Transformation Pauline Weritz is an Assistant Professor of Responsible Digital Transformation at the BMS Faculty. She has a background in psychology and management, integrated into the information systems domain, which informs her exploration of digital change at multiple levels with a focus on societal and environmental impact. She is involved in Business Administration studies, Honours education, interdisciplinary Master’s programmes, and professional lifelong learning initiatives, particularly in digital leadership and organisational change. More information on her teaching and research can be found here: https://people.utwente.nl/p.weritz
	Dr. Nina Trauernicht Assistant Professor Humanitarian Engineering Nina holds a PhD in managing complexity in large infrastructure projects, with a focus on how organizational and project complexities emerge and can be effectively coordinated. Classifying complexity, she investigated which coordination mechanisms best support teams navigating multifaceted technical and social challenges. In her current work, Nina applies systems thinking in the humanitarian and international development sector, examining system changes characterized by dynamic stakeholders and complex power relations. Taking a critical systems perspective, she aims to understand how facilitation, participation, and structural dynamics shape equitable and sustainable outcomes. Through research and practice, Nina is committed to supporting organisations and communities as they navigate complexity and work toward more just and inclusive futures. More information on her teaching and research can be found here: https://research.utwente.nl/en/persons/nina-trauernicht

Meet your teachers: