On 13 May 2026, Academia Institute of Technology hosted the local final of the international Map the System 2026 programme, in which students researched complex social, environmental, technological and economic challenges and presented them through a systems thinking approach.
At the local final, 7 teams of Academia students competed, presenting their research work before a panel of judges. The purpose of the Map the System programme is not to seek quick or simplified solutions, but to understand the deeper causes of problems, stakeholders, patterns of behaviour, systemic structures and possible levers for change.
First Micro-credentials in Slovenia Worth 5 ECTS
A particular milestone of this year's Map the System programme is also the issuing of micro-credentials. Participants in the programme received a micro-credential worth 5 credit points according to ECTS upon successful completion of the research work, participation in the programme and presentation at the local final.
With this, Academia has, on the basis of the amendment to the Higher Vocational Education Act (ZVSI), issued the first public micro-credential certificates worth 5 ECTS credit points in Slovenia. Thus, the Map the System programme was not only an international research and competitive experience, but also a formally recognised extracurricular experience that confirms students' acquired competences in systems thinking, researching complex social challenges, stakeholder analysis, creating systems maps and public presentation of findings.
Winners of the Local Final: Balkan Link
The winning team of the local final was team Balkan Link, consisting of Vojdan Lokvenec, Danica Biševac, Nemanja Božić and Riad Omširović.
The team will represent Academia at the global Map the System final, which will take place in July 2026 at the University of Oxford.
Balkan Link researched the systemic vulnerability of migrant workers from Western Balkan countries in the Slovenian construction sector. In their analysis, they showed how the linking of a single residence and work permit to a specific employer, subcontracting chains in construction, the pressure of the lowest price and limited institutional supervision combine into a system that can expose workers to unpaid wages, excessively long working hours, dangerous working conditions and inadequate accommodation.
The team highlighted as key levers for change the reform of the single permit, safe multilingual channels for reporting violations, greater responsibility of main contractors for conditions in subcontracting chains, and changes to public procurement that would, in addition to price, give greater consideration to the quality of working conditions.
Security Nexus: The Reputation of Security Guards and the Sense of Public Safety
Team Security Nexus consisted of Sabina Kotnik and Ivana Osećanski Despić.
In their project, they researched the connection between the low social reputation of security guards and the sense of public safety in Slovenia. They found that the problem is not only in the shortage of staff, low wages or demanding working conditions, but also in the broader social and institutional attitude towards the security guard profession.
The team pointed out an important paradox: society expects security guards to act professionally, responsibly and preventively in public spaces, yet often does not perceive them as professionals. The research showed that public safety does not depend only on legislation or the number of employees, but also on how society values the people who provide safety on a daily basis.
Deep Dive: The Energy Hunger of Artificial Intelligence
Team Deep Dive consisted of Tamara Bohorč, Jovana Kockar and Selma Grahić.
The team researched a less visible but increasingly important consequence of the development of artificial intelligence: its consumption of energy, water and physical infrastructure. In the project, they showed that artificial intelligence is not merely a "cloud", but is based on data centres, electrical energy, cooling, water and ever-increasing infrastructure needs.
The students highlighted the question of how Slovenia and Europe can reconcile digital transformation with energy security, climate goals and the long-term sustainable use of natural resources. Their analysis warned of the danger that digital development is accelerating faster than the strategic planning of energy and environmental consequences.
Wrackspurt Hunters: Artificial Intelligence and Addictive Mechanisms in Games
Team Wrackspurt Hunters consisted of Dimitrii Sobolev and Tatiana Profe.
In their research, they analysed the impact of artificial intelligence on the European gaming industry and the development of addictive mechanisms in digital games. They focused on the question of how personalisation, difficulty adjustment, behavioural prediction, recommendation algorithms and microtransactions affect playing time, consumption and player well-being.
The team showed that artificial intelligence in games can strengthen existing user retention mechanisms and create feedback loops that encourage players to play longer and spend more. As possible systemic responses, they highlighted greater transparency of algorithms, regulation of the most exploitative mechanics and the development of more ethical standards in game development.
Out Loud: Disinformation, Media and Democracy
Team Out Loud consisted of Tim Cerar, Lin Skok, Jenny Kaiser, Eda Hoheger and Črt Čelofiga.
The students researched political communication, media and the impact of disinformation in Slovenia. They treated disinformation as a systemic challenge co-created by social networks, algorithms, political actors, media, interest groups, lack of trust and low levels of media literacy.
The team emphasised that the solution is not merely in verifying individual pieces of information, but in long-term education for critical thinking, greater transparency of information flows and strengthening the resilience of democratic society.
Sustainable Care for the Elderly: When Proximity Is Not Enough
The project Sustainable Care for the Elderly was prepared by Lucija Klemen.
In her research, she focused on the invisible loneliness of elderly people. She showed that elderly people can feel lonely even when they are physically surrounded by other people – in care homes, in the family or in the local community.
The analysis showed that loneliness is not only personal distress, but a systemic problem connected with staffing standards, institutional routines, the digital divide, the shrinking of social networks, ageism and the lack of time for genuine human contact.
As possible levers for change, she highlighted intergenerational connection, a greater role for local communities, volunteering and a shift from understanding the elderly as a burden to understanding the elderly as active members of society.
Štrom: Who Can Participate in the Green Transition?
Team Štrom was represented by Anja Rajšp.
The project researched the question of who can actually participate in the green transition in Slovenia through solar energy self-sufficiency. The research showed that the formal possibility of installing a solar power plant does not yet mean equal actual access for all.
Access to self-sufficiency depends on roof ownership, financial capacity, connection permits, the capacity of the local distribution network and the ability of households to navigate a fragmented system of rules, incentives and procedures.
The team warned that the green transition must not become a privilege of those who have ideal technical, financial and ownership conditions, but must become more accessible also for community models, multi-dwelling buildings and different types of households.
Thanks to the Panel and Mentor
The team presentations were monitored by a three-member panel consisting of mag. Vida Perko, Director of Academia, Lucija Klampfer, lecturer at Academia, and mag. Primož Zupan, visiting lecturer.
Academia sincerely thanks the panel members for their professional assessment, support to students and constructive feedback.
Special thanks also go to mentor and lecturer Uršula Butkovič, who guided students through the process of research, systems thinking, preparation of systems analyses and final presentations.
Academia x Oxford: An Opportunity for Global Experience
The Academia x Oxford: Map the System 2026 programme enables Academia students to develop leadership competences, systems thinking and a research approach to solving social challenges.
Through the programme, students became acquainted with systems thinking tools, formulated research questions, analysed stakeholders, prepared systems maps and sought deeper causes of selected problems. The best team secured a path to the global stage in Oxford by winning the local final.
Congratulations to All Participating Teams
The Map the System 2026 local final demonstrated the exceptional breadth of thinking of Academia students: from artificial intelligence, energy and digital platforms to migration, public safety, disinformation, population ageing and the green transition.
The students proved that they can address complex challenges in depth, in an interdisciplinary manner and with an understanding of broader social consequences.
Academia congratulates all participating teams on their outstanding work, and wishes the winning team Balkan Link great success at the global final in Oxford in July 2026.
Oxford, here we come.
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Source: Academia (14. 5. 2026). Fotografije: arhiv Academie.
This English summary was produced automatically from the Slovenian article and is pending editorial review. Slovenska različica
