Michael J. Radzicki | Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Professor Radzicki is an economist and simulation scientist who directs WPI’s Complex Systems Laboratory as well as the university’s Program in Technology, Policy, and Sustainability. He has developed techniques for applying system dynamics computer simulation modeling to problems in complex socioeconomic systems, and created teachable and repeatable methods for turning these models into user-friendly games or “flight simulators” that can be used by those who did not participate in the creation of the models to understand and control their dynamics.

System dynamics is an approach to social system modeling that has its origins in control theory and electrical engineering. It is used to help policy makers reach a consensus on how to redesign social systems so that they exhibit improved, robust, and resilient behavior. As such, system dynamics is useful for addressing many of the world’s wicked problems and grand challenges, the solutions to which consist of interacting technical, economic, political, psychological, cultural, and environmental factors. Indeed, Professor Radzicki believes that solving the world’s most challenging problems requires leadership and leaders are, among other things, systems thinkers.

Some examples of system dynamics flights simulators created by Professor Radzicki include:

Student Workload Flight Simulator

Pandemic Flight Simulator

Project Management Flight Simulator

Heroin-Related Crime Flight Simulator

Saving the Deer on the Kaibab Plateau Flight Simulator

World Dynamics Flight Simulator

Scholarly Work

Johnson, A., Downes-Martin, S., Kooken, J., Radzicki, M. (2024) “Integration of System Dynamics Modeling and Wargame Design for Policy Making in Messy Problem Spaces.” MORS Journal of Wargaming. Under Review.

Bah, M., Radzicki, M., and Smith, A. (2024) “Bringing Behavioral Economics into System Dynamics Modeling: Some Challenges, Some Solutions, and a Path Forward. “In Qudrat-Ullah, H. (Ed). Managing Complex Tasks with Systems Thinking: Practical Insights for Better Decision Making. Heidelberg, Germany. Springer-Berlin.

Cavana, R., Dangerfield, B., Pavlov, O., Radzicki, M., & Wheat, D. (Eds). (2021). Feedback Economics: Economic Modeling with System Dynamics. Heidelberg, Germany. Springer-Berlin.

Radzicki. M. (2021). “System Dynamics, Data Science, and Institutional Analysis.” In Whalen. C. (Ed). Institutional Economics: Perspectives and Methods in Pursuit of a Better World. London and New York: Routledge.

Radzicki, M. (2019). “System Dynamics and its Contribution to Economics/Economic Modeling.” In Meyers, R. (Ed). Encyclopedia of Complexity and Systems Science. 2nd Edition. Berlin: Berlin & Heidelberg, Germany. Springer.

Mallick, R., Radzicki, M., Daniel, J. and Jacobs, J. (2014). “Use of System Dynamics to Understand the Long-Term Impact of Climate Change on Pavement Performance and Maintenance Cost.” Journal of the Transportation Research Board. Number 2455. Pages 1-9.

Michael Radzicki

Scholarly Work