Although I am now a system dynamics modeller by training, I started my academic journey in traditional and applied social research, where I worked with marginalized communities to advance diversity and inclusion and community development. Since making the transition to modelling, I have been passionate about bridging social research with system dynamics. What does this look like to me? Including people, their knowledge, experiences, and decision-rules in system dynamics models. Ergo, my research interests revolve around human behaviour and social system dynamics within larger ecological, technological, and health systems, as well as participatory modelling and stakeholder engagement.

Presently, I am a Research Fellow funded by the EU Horizon Project, WorldTrans: Transparent Assessments for Real People. This project seeks to address several weaknesses that have been identified in existing climate models for integrated assessments. For me, the most important of those weaknesses is the inadequate representation of human behaviour within the social system. As part of my PhD, I will be researching ways to include social and cultural factors that influence people's values and behaviour into integrated models. I will also be leading the participatory modelling components of the project, where I aim to meaningfully include stakeholders (experts and citizens alike) in the practice of integrated assessment modelling. With this research, I hope to refine a system dynamics and post-normal science methodology for bringing people into integrated assessment modelling and praxis. I believe this embodies what I have come to adopt as my personal tagline for my career: system dynamics in practice; social research at heart.

Talks

1. (2025 December 4). The behavioural turn in climate modelling: Integrating endogenous behavioural change as part of socio-environmental feedback processes in the FRIDA model. Presented at: USI SDLab Research Seminar. Institute of Management & Organization, Università della Svizzera Italiana. Lugano, Switzerland (Virtual).
2. (2024 October 14). Representing endogenous diet shifts in FRIDA-integrated assessment model: from conceptualisation to simulation. Presented at: Division Seminar in Nutrition Epidemiology. Department of Nutrition, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo. Oslo, Norway (Virtual).
3. (2023 August 21). Harnessing Systems Thinking and Participatory Modeling for Water Systems Research & Solutions. Presented at: Data-Driven Water Systems Solutions for Communities session at World Water Week. West Big Data Innovation Hub. Stockholm, Sweden (Virtual).

Workshops

1. (2024 August 8). Teaching Loop Dominance Analysis and Leverage Point Identification in the Classroom Using Loops That Matter. Presented at: The 42nd International System Dynamics Conference. Bergen, Norway.
2. (2023 May 13). Brewing Success: Learning to Manage Supply Chains with The Beer Game. Presented at: The 50th European Young Engineers Conference. The Hague, Netherlands.
3. (2022 December 5). Systems mapping workshop on Geopolitics. Presented at: “The extreme is here. Now.” Student Workshop. University of Bergen. Bergen, Norway.
4. (2022 September 28–29). Introduction to Systems Thinking & Systems Mapping on Groundwater Depletion. Presented at: The Transboundary Groundwater Resilience Network Annual Workshop. New Mexico, USA (Virtual).  

Interviews/Media Citation

1. Dynamic model predicts bright future for digital prosthetics. (August 25, 2022). Amplitude magazine: CO, USA.
2. Queer Politics and HIV in Singapore. (July 2022). Negotiating Citizenship podcast: Singapore.

Instruction

• GEO-SD304: System Dynamics Modelling Process (Fall 2024)
• GEO-SD302: Fundamentals of Dynamic Social Systems (Fall 2022)

Teaching Assistance

• GEO-SD309: Model Based Interactive Learning Environments (Fall 2024)
• GEO-SD304: System Dynamics Modelling Process (Fall 2021; 2022; 2023)
• GEO-SD303: Model-based Analysis and Policy Design (Fall 2021)
• GEO-SD302: Fundamentals of Dynamic Social Systems (Fall 2021)

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

1. Wells CD, Blanz B, Ramme L, Breier J, Callegari B, Muralidhar A, Rajah JK, Lindqvist AN, Eriksson AE, Schoenberg WA, Köberle AC, Wang-Erlandsson L, Mauritzen C, Grimeland MB, Smith C. (2026). The representation of climate impacts in the FRIDAv2.1 Integrated Assessment Model. Geoscientific Model Development 19(3): 1229–1260. doi: 10.5194/gmd-19-1229-2026
2. Rajah JK, Kopainsky B, Schoenberg W. (2026). Using Loops That Matter for Feedback Analysis: A Structured Curriculum for Building Systems Understanding. System Dynamics Review 42(1): e70018. doi: 10.1002/sdr.70018
3. Hulme A, Radley D, Brown A, Rajah JK, Kopainsky B, Crielaard L, Koorts H, Nobles J. (2026). The Qualitative Systems Exploration Model (QSEM): A New Framework to Support the Structural Analysis of Causal Loop Diagrams Within Participatory System Dynamics. System Dynamics Review 42(1): e70015. doi: 10.1002/sdr.70015
4. Schoenberg W, Blanz B, Rajah JK, Callegari B, Wells C, Breier J, Grimeland MB, Lindqvist AN, Ramme L, Smith C, et al. (2025). An overview of FRIDA v2.1: a feedback-based, fully coupled, global integrated assessment model of climate and humans. Geoscientific Model Development 18(21): 8047–8069. doi: 10.5194/gmd-18-8047-2025
5. Loo PS, Rajah JK, Herrera de Leon H, Kopainsky B, Milano L. (2025). A simulation-based policy analysis of anticipatory action for cholera outbreaks, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 103(10): 607–618. doi: 10.2471/BLT.25.293226
6. Rajah JK, Blanz B, Kopainsky B, Schoenberg W. (2025). An endogenous modelling framework of dietary behavioural change in the fully coupled human-climate FRIDA v2.1 model. Geoscientific Model Development 18(18): 5997-6022. doi: 10.5194/gmd-18-5997-2025
7. Aguiar A, Rajah JK, Conway-Moore K, Savona N, Knai C, Vlad I, Samdal O, Rutter H, Lien N, Kopainsky B. (2025). Converging perspectives on the processes exacerbating adolescent obesity: an integrative systems approach. Social Science & Medicine 367: 117706. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.117706
8. Rajah JK, Kopainsky B. (2025). A systematic method to integrate co-produced causal loop diagrams based on feedback stories. System Dynamics Review 41(1): e1794. doi: 10.1002/sdr.1794
9. Rajah JK, Atkins AEP, Tang C, Bax K, Wilkerson B, Fernald AG, Langarudi SP. (2024). Understanding Hydrologic, Human, and Climate System Feedback Loops: Results of a Participatory Modeling Workshop. Water 16(3): 396. doi: 10.3390/w16030396
10. Johannis AA, Heng MA, Baildon MC, Rajah JK. (2024). Time to negotiate Singapore’s meritocracy? Getting ready for the future of work and education. Globalisation, Societies and Education 22(5): 839–855. doi: 10.1080/14767724.2022.2121688
11. Rajah JK, Chernicoff W, Hutchison CJ, Gonçalves P, Kopainsky B. (2023). Enabling Mobility: A Simulation Model of the Health Care System for Major Lower-Limb Amputees to Assess the Impact of Digital Prosthetics Services. Systems 11(1): 22. doi: 10.3390/systems11010022

Book Chapters

1. Lim AC, Rajah JK, Sng JWM, Kuan YH. (2022). EDI in Singapore: emerging issues with sexual and gender minorities and people living with HIV. In Klarsfeld A, Knappert L, Kornau A, Ng ES, Ngunjiri FW (eds.) Research Handbook on New Frontiers of Equality and Diversity at Work: International Perspectives. Edward Elgar Publishing, Northampton, 198–216.

Conference Proceedings/Presentations

1. Rajah JK, Blanz B, Kopainsky B, Schoenberg W. (2025 November 11-13). Modelling feedback-based dietary behavioural change in FRIDA v2.1 integrated assessment model. Abstract presented at: 18th Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC) Annual Meeting. Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
2. Li C, Koberle A, Russo A, Trigo R, Wells C, Schoenberg W, Rajah JK. (2025 November 11-13). Incorporating fire extremes into the fully coupled Earth-human system Integrated Assessment Model FRIDA. Abstract presented at: 18th Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium (IAMC) Annual Meeting. Búzios, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
3. Rajah JK, Blanz B, Kopainsky B, Schoenberg W. (2025 August 4-7). A system dynamics modeling framework for endogenizing human behavior change in global-scale integrated assessment models. Paper presented at: 2025 International System Dynamics Conference. Boston, MA, USA (virtual).
4. Schoenberg W, Blanz B, Breier J, Callegari B, Grimeland MB, Nicolaidis Lindqvist A, Rajah JK, Ramme L, Wells C, Mauritzen C. (2025 August 4-7). FRIDA v2.0: Modeling the two-way coupling of the climate and humans. Paper presented at: 2025 International System Dynamics Conference. Boston, MA, USA (virtual).
5. Hulme A, Radley D, Brown A, Rajah JK, Kopainsky B, Crielaard L, Koorts H, Nobles J. (2025 August 4-7). The Qualitative Systems Exploration Model (QSEM): A framework to support the structural analysis of Causal Loop Diagrams. Paper presented at: 2025 International System Dynamics Conference. Boston, MA, USA (virtual).
6. Bayer L, Rajah JK, Gkini C, Kopainsky B. (2025 August 4-7). The adoption of conservation tillage in Brandenburg, Germany. Paper presented at: 2025 International System Dynamics Conference. Boston, MA, USA (virtual).
7. Mohammad M, Rajah JK, Schoenberg W, Kopainsky B. (2025 August 4-7). Developing an Interactive Learning Environment to teach the two-way coupling of climate-human system. Poster presented at: 2025 International System Dynamics Conference. Boston, MA, USA (virtual).
8. Wells C, Smith C, Blanz B, Ramme L, Callegari B, Adakudlu M, Rajah JK, Eriksson A, Schoenberg W. (2025 May 5-8). Implementing ISIMIP-derived global climate damage functions in a new Integrated Assessment Model. Abstract presented at: Cross-sectoral OptimESM and ISIMIP Workshop 2025. Potsdam, Germany (Virtual).
9. Wells C, Smith C, Blanz B, Ramme L, Callegari B, Adakudlu M, Rajah JK, Eriksson A, Schoenberg B. (2025 April 27-May 2). Implementing global climate damage functions in a new Integrated Assessment Model. Abstract presented at: EGU General Assembly 2025. Vienna, Austria.
10. Rajah JK, Tusch B, Hammerseng G, Kopainsky B. (2024 November 4-6). Conceptualising an endogenous representation of human behaviour change in a feedback-based, global-scale integrated assessment model. Poster presented at: The 17th Integrated Assessment Modeling Consortium Annual Meeting. Seoul, South Korea (Virtual).
11. Rajah JK, Kopainsky B. (2024). Human behavioural drivers of meat consumption: Using group model building to capture lived realities. In Howick S, Jalali M, Rahmandad H (eds.) Proceedings of the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Bergen, Norway.
12. Rajah JK, Tusch B, Hammerseng G, Kopainsky B. (2024 August 4-8). Towards Modelling (Pro-)Environmental Human Behaviour in Integrated Assessment Models from a Systems Approach. Abstract presented at: The 42nd International System Dynamics Conference. Bergen, Norway.
13. Schoenberg WA, Mauritzen C, Adakudlu M, Blanz B, Breier J, Grimeland MB, Mashhadi S, Rajah JK, Ramme L, Wells C. (2024). Towards a “fit for purpose” , fully coupled, integrated, and interdisciplinary world-Earth model – Documentation of FRIDA Version 1.0. In Howick S, Jalali M, Rahmandad H (eds.) Proceedings of the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Bergen, Norway.
14. Schoenberg WA, Rajah JK, Kopainsky B. (2024). Teaching with Loops That Matter in the classroom. In Howick S, Jalali M, Rahmandad H (eds.) Proceedings of the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Bergen, Norway.
15. Sliwkowski A, Rajah JK. (2024). Where Will Food Come From? A Look at the Potential of Vertical Farming in Norway. In Howick S, Jalali M, Rahmandad H (eds.) Proceedings of the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Bergen, Norway.
16. Jongsma TAI, Rajah JK. (2024). The Dynamic Radicalization Process and Violent Behaviour of Incels. In Howick S, Jalali M, Rahmandad H (eds.) Proceedings of the 2024 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Bergen, Norway.
17. Rajah JK, Kopainsky B. (2024 June 4-6). Co-producing Models of (Pro-)Environmental Human Behaviour: Feedback Stories Surrounding Meat Consumption. Paper presented at: The 16th Nordic Environmental Social Science Conference. Turku, Finland.
18. Rajah JK, Atkins A, Tang C, Langarudi S. (2023 July 24-27). Advancing cross-disciplinary research on transboundary groundwater systems through group model building. Paper presented at: 2023 International System Dynamics Conference. Chicago, IL, USA.
19. Siemer AR, Rajah JK. (2023). Modeling Public Transportation Attractiveness in System Dynamics: The Significance of Safety Perception. In Proceedings of the 2023 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Chicago, IL, USA.
20. Rajah JK, Grimeland MB. (2022). Enabling Resilient Food Systems: Simulating the Impact on Local Farmers’ Livelihoods in Greater Adelaide, Australia. In Proceedings of the 2022 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
21. Rajah JK, Hutchison C, Chernicoff W, Gonçalves P. (2022). The Dynamics of Prosthetics Care Continuum for Persons with Amputation. In Proceedings of the 2022 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
22. Gkini C, Rajah JK, Rodriguez AA, Kopainsky B. (2022). Integrating Diverse Perspectives: Meaning-Making Process in Participatory System Dynamics. In Proceedings of the 2022 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
23. Andreasson E, Rajah JK. (2022). Eroding Public Services: Modelling the Rise of the American Legislative Exchange Council in the United States Legislatures. In Proceedings of the 2022 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Frankfurt, Germany.
24. Rajah JK. (2021). Where Has the Passion Gone? The Dynamics of Non-Profit Workers’ Passion Burnout and Intention to Leave. In Proceedings of the 2021 International System Dynamics Conference. System Dynamics Society, Chicago, IL.
25. Surovets V, Rajah JK. (2021). Model-Based Socioeconomic Planning of Tourism Development in Developing Countries. In Proceedings of the International scientific-practical conference of students, postgraduates and young scientists "Current issues of financial system development in the information economy". NaUKMA, Kyiv, Ukraine.

Technical Reports

1. Rajah JK, Blanz B, Kopainsky B, Schoenberg W. (2025). Report on environmental value-shifts. EU Deliverable 2.6. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
2. Schoenberg W, Rajah JK, Blanz B, Callegari B, Breier J, Grimeland MB, Mahu F, Ramme L, Wells C, Smith C, et al. (2025). Report on FRIDA V3.0: Final report summarizing the key feedback processes that must be represented in FRIDA model. EU Deliverable 3.7. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
3. Eriksson AE, Collste D, Lindqvist AN, Rouwette EAJA, Kopainsky B, Rajah JK, Wells C, Blanz B, Koberle A. (2025). Scientific synthesis: usefulness of IAM approaches in real world contexts. EU Deliverable 4.6. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
4. Wells C, Blanz B, Ramme L, Callegari B, Adakudlu M, Rajah JK, Eriksson A, Smith C, Schoenberg WA. (2025). Report on feedback in the full natural-human climate system. EU Deliverable 1.8. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
5. Breier J, Wells C, Ramme L, Eriksson A, Rajah JK, Schoenberg W, Gerten D. (2025). Report on inclusion of land use, water cycle and biodiversity in FRIDA. EU Deliverable 1.7. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
6. Wells C, Blanz B, Ramme L, Callegari B, Adakudlu M, Rajah JK, Eriksson A, Smith C, Schoenberg WA. (2025). Report on climate damage functions for use in FRIDA. EU Deliverable 1.6. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
7. Prawitz H, Schwarz L, Eker S, Rajah JK, Donges J. (2025). Report on the macroscopic formulation and quantification of social norms dynamics. EU Deliverable 2.4. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
8. Schoenberg WA, Blanz B, Breier J, Callegari B, Grimeland MB, Adakudlu M, Nicolaidis A, Rajah JK, Ramme L, Smith C, Wells C, Mauritzen C. (2025). Report on FRIDA v2.0: Modeling the two-way coupling of the climate and humans. EU Deliverable 3.5. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
9. Rajah JK, Kopainsky B, Eker S, Prawitz H, Breier J, Donges J. (2024). Report on conceptualization of pro-environmental value shifts for modeling human behavioral changes. EU Deliverable 2.3. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
10. Schoenberg WA, Mauritzen C, Adakudlu M, Blanz B, Breier J, Callegari B, Collste D, Cornell S, Donges J, Eker S, Gerten D, Gjermundsen A, Grimeland MB, Kopainsky B, Li C, Mashhadi S, Rajah JK, Ramme L, Smith C, Wang Erlandsson L, Wells C, Ye Q. (2024). Report on FRIDA V1.0. EU Deliverable 3.4. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
11. Lindqvist AN, Cornell S, Collste D, Palm C, Rajah JK, Kopainsky B. (2024). Scientific synthesis: fitness for purpose of current IAM approaches. EU Deliverable 4.3. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
12. Collste D, Rajah JK, Cornell S, Palm C, Kopainsky B. (2024). Learning and Training — External engagement with Citizens. EU Deliverable 4.4. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.
13. Swamy D, Eker S, Rajah JK, Kopainsky B, Callegari B, Breier J, Donges J. (2023). Preliminary Conceptualization of Modeling Human Systems in Integrated Assessment. EU Deliverable 2.1. WorldTrans – Transparent Assessments for Real People, EU Horizon Europe, Grant No. 101081661.

WorldTrans: Transparent Assessments for Real People

Research Fellow (2023–Present)

Funded by EU’s Horizon Europe, WorldTrans seeks to build new communities of integrated assessment modelling experts and users (citizens and stakeholders alike); include heterogeneous human behaviour in integrated assessment models; identify main feedback loops and policy leverage points for climate-neutrality oriented policies; and produce quantitatively consistent results for various (IPCC and IPBES) assessment processes. I am involved in designing the participatory modelling process with multiple stakeholders (across serveral work packages) and developing an adaptable model on shifts in value systems and behaviour changes towards climate mitigation.

SYNAGRI: Developing synergies between the bioeconomy and regional food systems for a sustainable future

Researcher (2024–Present)

Along with Assemblage Thinking researchers from Ruralis – Institute for Rural and Regional Research and University of Neuchatel, I am involved in exploring the interconnections, synergies, and disjunctures between Systems Thinking and Assemblage Thinking methodological approaches for advancing an integrative framework for food system analysis and transformation. Funded by the Research Council of Norway, this work package of SYNAGRI is interested in understanding how actors are involved in governance, mobilisation, and transformation of social and material relations within food systems.  

Transboundary Groundwater Resilience Network Participatory Modeling

Consultant (2022–2023)

I provided consulting and professional services to the Transboundary Groundwater Resilience (TGR) Network of Networks from the New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute. I co-designed an introductory systems thinking and system dynamics modeling lecture, and conducted a two-day virtual systems mapping session at the TGRR annual workshop held on September 28-29, 2022. Workshop outputs include a causal loop diagram depicting the mental models of participants, identified research priorities, and results of the evaluation survey of the workshop, which were presented to TGR. Since then, we have used the workshop outputs as a case to advance use-inspired research in water resources through participatory modelling.

Enabling Mobility: Health and Prosthetics Care System for Major Lower Limb Amputees

Researcher/Modeller (2022–2023)

A collaborative system dynamics modelling project between University of Bergen, ProsFit Technologies JSC, and Toyota Mobility Foundation. The aim of the research is to computationally represent a country-level health and prosthetic care system for major lower limb amputees for the purpose of improving the access to and outcomes of prosthetics service provision. The model assesses the impact of emerging digital technology in prosthetics in relation to amputee mobility and the net socio-economic benefit accrued to society. This project was conducted as part of my Master Thesis under the supervision of Birigt Kopainsky (University of Bergen) and Paulo Gonçalves (University of Lugano).