Transforming Development: The Science and Practice of Resilience Thinking from edX

With concerns about climate and global environmental changes, extreme events, and increases in social, economic, and political shocks, the concept of resilience is proving popular across a range of sectors as a way to understand and respond to our surprise-riddled world.

This concept is now presented in a course led by the Stockholm Resilience Centre and the Centre for Complex Systems in Transitions and includes the latest research and practice on resilience.

Resilience thinking includes the ability to persist in the face of challenges, adapt to new realities, or transform to fundamentally new paths for development. Resilience thinking is more than a theory, more than a set of tools. It is a way of seeing the world, offering a new perspective of how change in the world happens. Resilience thinking provides a new approach for building understanding and taking action in a complex world that is deeply interconnected and ever-changing. A world where controlled, planned approaches, existing knowledge and current solutions are not enough to effectively respond to the challenges in a highly dynamic and uncertain future. Addressing poverty, injustice, and inequality, and advancing human well-being remains a major ambition and challenge for the 21st century, and it now needs to consider that development will happen in a context radically different from the past.

This course includes case studies and examples from practitioners who are working with resilience concepts in diverse contexts around the world. It is supported by strong scientific evidence and committed to being a platform to bring together and spark collaboration between individuals and organizations from around the world who are driven to transform development.

This course is for:

Development practitioners, policymakers and managers within development agencies around the world, as well as those working in the field with an interest in resilience thinking as it relates to development policy and practice.
Students who are interested in the intersection of resilience, sustainability and development, and with a general interest in both local and global sustainability challenges
Anyone with an interest in development, resilience thinking, and sustainability

What's inside

Learning objectives

Identify, explain, and analyse the latest key issues and debates regarding global environmental change, sustainability, and resilience in relationship to development
Identify concrete, cutting-edge, and perhaps surprising ways that core concepts of resilience thinking can be applied in practice.

Possess a general understanding of complexity and complex systems in ways that help in analyzing the world and diverse development contexts.
Understand the recent and ongoing evolution of resilience thinking tools used in development practice, and master those that can support your own activities.

Identify, explain, and analyse the latest key issues and debates regarding global environmental change, sustainability, and resilience in relationship to development
Identify concrete, cutting-edge, and perhaps surprising ways that core concepts of resilience thinking can be applied in practice.
Possess a general understanding of complexity and complex systems in ways that help in analyzing the world and diverse development contexts.
Understand the recent and ongoing evolution of resilience thinking tools used in development practice, and master those that can support your own activities.

Syllabus

Module 1: Setting the Scene - Development in a changing worldWe have entered the geological epoch of the Anthropocene, the age of humans. Humanity is now the largest driving force of change on the planet. What does this mean for development? In this new reality, development must be able to navigate slow and rapid change, complexity, and surprise.

Module 2: Why does the world seem so complex?In the Anthropocene, why does the world seem so complex? We define what we mean by complexity, and some ways to think about complexity in the context of development.

Module 3: Transformations and innovation for rethinking development practiceDevelopment practice as we know it needs to be able to navigate uncertainties. However, the business-as-usual approach is not working in the Anthropocene. A new way of thinking about innovation and the capacity to transform is necessary in order to thrive in the face of uncertainty. This module defines transformation, outlines some of the science around transformation, provides examples of transformative development practice and reimagines the role of innovation.

Module 4: The journey from theory to practiceModules 1-3 provide a strong foundation for why, theoretically, resilience thinking could help transform development practice in the Anthropocene. Module 4 highlights a number of approaches and tools that can help practitioners, policymakers, and others rethink their development interventions.

Module 5: Reconnecting the social-ecological-cultural for rethinking development practiceThis module highlights the importance of seeing the social, ecological, and cultural as inseparable. It also emphasizes that for development to succeed in the Anthropocene, all of these dimensions must be considered together in development practice.

Module 6: Why the global matters for transforming development practiceThis module explores how humanity’s actions in one place and time, can have surprising consequences for other places and times. This module explores why the global matters for local development and how changes at the local level can scale up and have global implications.

Module 7: Alternative futures for development practiceKnowing all this, where do we go from here? This final module uses “futures thinking” as an approach towards development practice. The different chapters present ways of thinking that can help us change the present for the better, through imagining positive alternative futures for development and indeed, for humanity.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding of resilience thinking, a key concept for navigating complex development challenges

Led by the Stockholm Resilience Centre and Centre for Complex Systems in Transitions, ensuring academic rigor and credibility

Explores practical applications of resilience thinking, equipping learners to apply it in real-world development contexts

Incorporates case studies and examples from practitioners, grounding the learning in practical experiences

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and complexity of development challenges, encouraging a holistic perspective

Requires learners to have a foundational understanding of development and sustainability concepts

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Transforming Development: The Science and Practice of Resilience Thinking with these activities:

Identify a mentor or expert in resilience thinking

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Gain access to personalized guidance and support from experienced professionals to deepen your understanding of resilience thinking.

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Research potential mentors or experts in the field
Reach out to individuals and introduce yourself
Schedule a meeting or arrange for ongoing support

Review the basic principles of resilience thinking

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Gain a deeper understanding of the core concepts of resilience thinking, which will provide a foundation for the rest of the course.

Browse courses on Resilience Thinking

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Read the course overview and module 1
Take notes on the key concepts of resilience thinking
Watch the introductory video lectures

Explore online resources and tools for resilience thinking

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Gain access to additional materials and support to enhance your understanding of resilience thinking.

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Visit the Stockholm Resilience Centre website
Explore the resources and tools available on the website
Follow the tutorials and guidance provided

Five other activities

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Analyze real-world examples of resilience in different contexts

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Develop your ability to identify and analyze resilience in practice, which will help you apply the concepts to your own work.

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Read the case studies provided in the course materials
Identify the key factors that contributed to resilience in each case
Consider how the same principles could be applied to your own work

Join a study group or online forum to discuss resilience thinking

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Connect with other learners and exchange ideas to enhance your understanding and critical thinking skills.

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Find a study group or online forum related to resilience thinking
Participate in discussions and share your insights
Seek feedback and support from other members

Attend online or in-person events related to resilience thinking

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Expand your network, learn from experts, and stay up-to-date on the latest developments in resilience thinking.

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Research upcoming events related to resilience thinking
Register for and attend the events
Connect with other attendees and speakers

Develop a resilience plan for a specific project or initiative

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Develop your ability to apply resilience thinking to practical situations, which will help you improve your decision-making and project planning.

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Identify a project or initiative that you are working on
Assess the potential risks and vulnerabilities of the project
Develop strategies to mitigate the risks and enhance the resilience of the project

Contribute to open source projects related to resilience thinking

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Gain practical experience and contribute to the development of resilience thinking tools and resources.

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Identify open source projects related to resilience thinking
Review the project documentation and codebase
Make contributions to the project

Career center

Learners who complete Transforming Development: The Science and Practice of Resilience Thinking will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Resilience Officer

Resilience Officers are responsible for developing and implementing resilience strategies for their communities or organizations. They may also manage emergency response plans, conduct risk assessments, and train others on resilience. This course could help you develop the knowledge and skills you need to build resilient communities and organizations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Resilience Officer

Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Managers are responsible for developing and implementing sustainability strategies for their organizations. They may also manage environmental programs, track progress towards sustainability goals, and report on sustainability performance. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to develop and implement effective sustainability strategies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager

Sustainability Consultant

Sustainability Consultants help businesses and organizations improve their sustainability performance. They may also develop and implement sustainability strategies, conduct sustainability assessments, and provide advice on sustainability. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to help businesses and organizations become more sustainable.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Consultant

Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist

Disaster Risk Reduction Specialists develop and implement strategies to reduce the risk of disasters. They may also conduct risk assessments, train others on disaster preparedness, and coordinate disaster response efforts. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to reduce the risk of disasters and build resilient communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist

Climate Change Analyst

Climate Change Analysts study the causes and effects of climate change. They may also develop and implement strategies to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. This course could help you understand the science of climate change and the challenges and opportunities it presents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Climate Change Analyst

Social Entrepreneur

Social Entrepreneurs use business principles to solve social problems. They may also develop and implement social enterprises, raise funds, and advocate for social change. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to launch a social enterprise and make a positive impact on the world.

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Natural Resource Manager

Natural Resource Managers are responsible for managing natural resources, such as forests, water, and wildlife. They may also develop and implement conservation plans, conduct research, and provide advice on natural resource management. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to manage natural resources sustainably.

See salaries and explore the career path for Natural Resource Manager

Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Lawyers specialize in environmental law. They may represent clients in environmental litigation, advise businesses on environmental compliance, and develop environmental policies. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to practice environmental law and protect the environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Lawyer

Environmental Policy Analyst

Environmental Policy Analysts analyze environmental policies and their impacts. They may also develop and recommend policy changes, conduct research, and provide advice on environmental policy. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to analyze environmental policies and develop effective solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Policy Analyst

Community Development Specialist

Community Development Specialists work to improve the quality of life in communities. They may also develop and implement community development programs, conduct research, and advocate for community needs. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to work with communities to build a better future.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Specialist

Philanthropy Advisor

Philanthropy Advisors help individuals and organizations give back to their communities. They may also develop and implement grantmaking strategies, conduct research, and provide advice on philanthropy. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to advise individuals and organizations on how to give back to their communities.

See salaries and explore the career path for Philanthropy Advisor

Environmental Consultant

Environmental Consultants help businesses improve their environmental performance and comply with regulations. They may also develop and implement environmental management systems, conduct environmental impact assessments, and provide advice on sustainability. This course could help you better understand the environmental challenges facing businesses and how to develop effective strategies to address them.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Urban Planner

Urban Planners design and plan cities and towns. They may also manage land use, zoning, and transportation systems. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to plan sustainable and resilient cities and towns.

See salaries and explore the career path for Urban Planner

Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers lead and manage nonprofit organizations. They may also develop and implement programs, raise funds, and advocate for the organization's mission. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to manage a nonprofit organization and make a difference in the world.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Manager

Sustainability Educator

Sustainability Educators teach others about sustainability. They may also develop and deliver educational programs, conduct research, and advocate for sustainability. This course could help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to educate others about sustainability and inspire them to take action.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Educator