PhD
System Dynamics
MIT Sloan’s System Dynamics PhD group, established by Professor Jay W. Forrester in 1956, equips students with the theoretical, methodological, and philosophical tools to analyze system behaviors across various fields, including management, environmental change, politics, economics, medicine, and engineering. The group integrates organization studies, behavioral decision theory, and engineering to understand and influence dynamic changes over time. Students engage in comprehensive studies of system principles, economic and industrial dynamics, and policy analysis, supplemented by coursework in economics, information systems, statistics, and political science. Faculty members like Hazhir Rahmandad, who explores complex organizational dynamics and public health issues; John Sterman, known for his work on system dynamics modeling and sustainability; and Vicky Chuqiao Yang, who studies collective human behavior and decision-making, provide invaluable guidance and expertise.
Research from System Dynamics Faculty
From MIT Sloan Fellow to Climate Startup Founder
With more than 15 years experience leading infrastructure projects across Latin America, Solangel Fernandez, SF ’25, came to MIT Sloan with a clear purpose—to innovate and accelerate the impact of sustainable development. An opportunity to fulfill that purpose came when her Sustainable Business (S-L...
AI investment risks, Fed leadership changes, and policy uncertainty shape the outlook for investors
Peter R. Fisher and Gary Gensler discuss how rapid investment in artificial intelligence, Federal Reserve leadership changes, and policy uncertainty are shaping the outlook for investors.
Adela Jamal, SFMBA ’22, and Sebastian Barriga, SFMBA ’22
Adela Jamal, SFMBA ’22, and Sebastian Barriga, SFMBA ’22, talk about their journey from diverse global careers to launching an applied AI-focused venture fund.
Enhancing Entrepreneurship with the MIT EMBA
Denis Lussault, EMBA ’20, has built his career at the intersection of engineering, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and turned to the MIT Sloan Executive MBA to strengthen his skills in strategy, finance, and leadership after recognizing gaps in his business knowledge. The program not only equipped...
Select System Dynamics Faculty
Full-Time Faculty
Johan Chu
Hear name pronounced.Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor
Johan Chu is the Sarofim Family Career Development Assistant Professor and an Assistant Professor of System Dynamics at the MIT Sloan School of Management Johan's research examines power. Recently-developed technologies–including generative AI–allow…
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Hazhir Rahmandad
Hear name pronounced.Schussel Family Professor of Management Science
Hazhir Rahmandad is the Schussel Family Professor of Management Science and a Professor of System Dynamics at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Hazhir's research shows how complex organizational dynamics can lead to heterogeneity in organizational…
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Nelson P. Repenning
School of Management Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies
Nelson P. Repenning is the Faculty Director of the MIT Leadership Center, and the School of Management Distinguished Professor of System Dynamics and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. His early work focused on understanding…
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Example PhD Thesis Topics
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Jose Lopez (2024)
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James Paine (2023)
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Tianyi Li (2021)
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Tse Yang Lim (2021)
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Jad Sassine (2021)