Empowering Tomorrow’s Problem Solvers: Nexus Thinking and CLEWs Modelling as a Pedagogical Approach to Wicked Problems

Leigh Martindale (), Carla Cannone, Taco Niet, Richard Hodgkins, Kane Alexander and Mark Howells
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Leigh Martindale: Geography & Environment Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Carla Cannone: Geography & Environment Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Taco Niet: School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V3T 0N1, Canada
Richard Hodgkins: Geography & Environment Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Kane Alexander: Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
Mark Howells: Geography & Environment Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 14, 1-23

Abstract: The increasing prevalence of wicked problems, such as climate change, requires a transformation in education that equips students with the skills, competencies and knowledge to address these complex challenges. Wicked problems are characterised by their incomplete, contradictory, and ever-changing requirements, rendering them difficult to resolve due to intricate interdependencies. Nexus thinking offers a valuable approach to these problems, as it emphasises the interconnectedness of various systems, fostering a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges at hand. In this paper, we propose the use of Climate, Land, Energy, and Water (CLEWs) modelling as an innovative pedagogical strategy tool to cultivate nexus thinking among students. Building upon the pioneering CLEWs pedagogical work of Shivakumar et al., in their ‘Introduction to CLEWs’ Open Learn course, we demonstrate how this approach can be utilised in a Higher Education (HE) setting in the form of a Masters’ module for geography students.

Keywords: CLEWs; OSeMOSYS; pedagogy; nexus thinking; wicked problems (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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