BrookesEDGE Competencies

Systems Thinking Competency describes the ability to:

• recognise and understand relationships
• analyse complex systems
• understand how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales
• deal with uncertainty
• recognise and work with connections and interactions between factors
• understand that actions often have multiple consequences
• assess a problem from different scales and perspectives
• synthesise diverse information and data to offer a range of potential sustainable solutions

Futures Thinking Competency (sometimes called Anticipatory Competency) describes the ability to:

• understand and evaluate multiple futures – possible, probable and desirable
• create one’s own visions for the future
• understand and apply the precautionary principle
•  assess the consequences of actions
• deal with risks and changes         
• consider the impacts of heritage and cultures when planning for the future
• learn to unlearn when situations and contexts demand alternative solutions
• use historical knowledge and an understanding of the consequences of past actions to envision how futures may be shaped
• use forecasting skills - looking at past trends and present conditions to extrapolate anticipated future outcomes

Critical Thinking Competency describes the ability to:

• question norms, practices and opinions
• reflect on own one’s values, perceptions and actions
• present a simplified view of a concept
• identify and formulate critical questions and problems
• assess new information and continuously incorporate it into existing models as they develop
• recognise assumptions and evaluate their potential implications and consequences

Strategic Competency describes the ability to:

• collectively develop and implement innovative actions
• anticipate and analyse the consequences of different decisions
• understand how emotional and cognitive awareness can influence decision making
• evaluate the impact of and connections between the activities of different demographic groups, recognising that there may be competing factors between them

Collaboration Competency describes the ability to:

• communicate effectively with others
• learn from and with others
• understand and respect the needs, perspectives and actions of others
• understand, relate to and be sensitive to others
• recognise the goals, skills and needs of others
• deal with conflicts in a group
• facilitate collaborative and participatory problem-solving
• communicate effectively through listening, clear expression and constructive inquiry
• facilitate and mediate progressive discussions among interested parties (stakeholders) to help resolve issues and conflicts

Integrating Problem-Solving Competency describes the ability to:

• apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex problems
• develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development
• use and apply established frameworks and methodologies for analysing the impact(s) of a behaviour or process
• understands the academic norms of a discipline and explore disciplinary integrity
• combine different sources and types of evidence, drawing from different disciplines, to view and address a problem

Normative Competency describes the ability to:

• understand and reflect on the norms and values that underlie one’s actions
• negotiate values, principles, goals, and targets, in a context of conflicts of interests and trade-offs, uncertain knowledge and contradictions
• debate and explore fairness and justice, including social justice
• identify ethical questions and use ethical frameworks
• engage with and understand different world views

Self-Awareness Competency describes the ability to:

• reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society
• continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions
• deal with one’s feelings and desires
• identify and evaluate one’s own competences and learning needs
• understand one’s own heritages and cultures
• maintain healthy mental and emotional state and be aware of one’s mental and emotional health