“Systems Thinking: A Model for Civic Collaboration”

How can community-driven journalism produce a more informed and engaged society? Join the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and Journalism + Design at The New School for a virtual session, as we explore this question through the lens of systems thinking–a useful practice and mindset for understanding complex issues! This event is free and open to the public.

The 75-minute session will include a brief introduction to the concept of systems thinking; an overview of why and how it can be used to understand and shift community narratives; and an action-oriented discussion about how such narratives can reveal—and even create—entry points for powerful systemic change in attendees’ own communities.

The session will be facilitated by Cole Goins, engagement lead for Journalism + Design at The New School.

Who should attend?

• Public humanities experts whose work uncovers, shares, and preserves untold and underrepresented stories from communities in New Jersey
• Individuals and orgs that want to learn how to use community voices to spur civic change and renewal
• Anyone interested in the concepts of systems thinking or community-based journalism.

About the presenter

Cole Goins develops programs that democratize the tools of journalism and strengthen local information networks. He is also a contributing editor for community engagement to The Oaklandside, and has led trainings, engagement initiatives and events with organizations including the American Press Institute, Poynter, USA TODAY Network, and the Investigative Reporting Workshop.

He spent a decade in nonprofit investigative journalism, first as the engagement editor at the Center for Public Integrity, and most recently as the director of community engagement at Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting.

This session is part of Democracy and the Informed Citizen, an initiative which is administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and generously funded by the Mellon Foundation. Democracy and the Informed Citizen examines the essential role that journalism and the humanities play in creating an informed citizenry. To learn more about how NJCH is working to bring together journalists and community members across New Jersey, visit: https://njhumanities.org/programs/democracy-informed-citizen/.