Become an effective agent of change.
This course teaches the basics of systems thinking and practical tools to help create policies that address complex challenges through collaboration. This requires policy analysts and leaders to step back and take on relationship-building roles in discussions led by the public/affected interests. Key questions to be considered concern how to nurture democratic agency across people contributing to public policy ideas and how to find a shared direction within a set of divergent views.
Course Objectives:
Participants will explore participatory approaches to policymaking, understanding the role of policy analysts as facilitators in discussions led by the public and affected interests.
Explain the importance of diverse approaches and perspectives when designing participatory processes.
Analyze whether facilitation methods are enhancing or hindering meaningful participation and co-creation in policymaking.
- Apply and adapt participatory frameworks, showing the ability to engage in and contribute to better public dialogue and policymaking
Who Should Enroll?
This course is designed for policymakers, analysts, community leaders, and practitioners who want to learn collaborative, systems-based approaches to tackling complex social challenges.
Course Details
- Online
- 4 weeks
- Start Date: April 7, 2026
- There will be online asynchronous content plus a live Zoom meeting each week.
- Meeting time: Tuesdays 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
- Cost:
- $375 for community members
- Current Trent undergraduate students qualify for a 50% off discount. Please email microcredential@trentu.ca for more details.
- Trent alumni qualify for a 10% off discount. Please email alumni@trentu.ca for more details.
- Current Trent staff and faculty qualify for a 20% off discount. Please email microcredential@trentu.ca for more details.
NOTE: Only one discount code can be used per order.
Course Topics:
Week 1: Systems Thinking
Explore how different worldviews shape the way we approach complex problems.
Week 2: Acting for the Future
Learn how to think creatively about future possibilities.
Week 3: Building Social Infrastructure
Discover how to design spaces and processes that invite meaningful participation.
Week 4: Encouraging Ongoing Dialogue
Practice ways to keep conversations open and inclusive.
Evaluation:
This is a graded course where a complete or incomplete will be issued. To receive a Completion of this course, a student must:
Complete pre-class questions and reflections, submitted at the start of each class
Participate in weekly class discussions
How to Register:
Click to register!
Prerequisites:
There are no formal prerequisites for this course.
A minimum of 6 participants is required to run this program.
Conclusion:
Students will leave this course with an understanding of strategy vs. tactics, enhanced communication skills, and confidence to participate more actively in community decision-making. This will arise from a self-evaluation of internal barriers, plus those imposed by societal norms.