Skip to content

Mni Awanka (watching over water)

✏️

Wide banner of the study system Raw photo location: hero.jpg

One sentence on impact: In three days we will map early warning signals of socio-ecological tipping points so partners can chart resilient transformation pathways.

Read the brief · View code · Explore data

About this site: This public log captures our Innovation Summit 2025 sprint. Edit any page in your browser → pencil icon → Commit changes. Keep updates short, visual, and decision-oriented.

How to use this page (for the team)

  • Edit this file: docs/index.md → ✎ → change text → Commit changes.
  • Add images: upload to docs/assets/ and reference them like assets/your_file.png.
  • Prioritize clarity: favor short captions, bold headlines, and 2–3 visuals per section.

Day 1 — Define the system & opportunities

Focus: shared context, tipping point hypotheses, and team alignment. Add at least one real visual (whiteboard, map, or notes snapshot).

Our product 📣

  • What rapid deliverable (brief, prototype, dashboard, etc.) will communicate our findings on tipping points and transformation?

Our goal is to work towards a dashboard on water quality in Sicangu Makoce (Rosebud Reservation) which can be used for water quality monitoring and indigenous rights, particularly regarding the increasing cancer rates.

Our question(s) 📣

  • Which socio-ecological system(s) are we focusing on and why?
  • Where do we suspect tipping points are emerging?
  • Who is impacted by crossing (or avoiding) those thresholds?

Working hypotheses / intentions 📣

  • We think that … (tie to signals of change)
  • We intend to test whether … (data-driven angle)
  • We will know we’re onto something if … (signal for success)

Why this matters (the “so what”) 📣

Explain how clarifying tipping points unlocks better decisions, investments, or community actions.

Inspirations (papers, datasets, tools)

Field notes / visuals

Whiteboard brainstorm (replace this) Raw photo location: day1_whiteboard.jpg Caption: Capture what the sketch shows and how it guides the next step.

Different perspectives: Summarize any divergent views or open debates—they often reveal critical assumptions about transformation pathways.

Day 2 — Data, indicators & prototyping

Focus: compile datasets, build first metrics/visuals, and document what works. Aim for at least one prototype figure or interaction.

Data sources we’re exploring 📣

  • Source A — link, coverage, why it matters for tipping points

Pattern revealed during exploration Raw photo location: explore_data_plot.png Snapshot showing an emerging pattern or early warning signal.

  • Source B — link and concise description (e.g., social feedbacks, policy triggers)

Methods / technologies we’re testing 📣

  • Indicator or model approach (e.g., resilience metrics, change point analysis)
  • Analytical workflow (e.g., Python/R notebooks, dashboards, remote sensing pipelines)
  • Visualization concept (e.g., threshold timeline, network diagram, scenario storyboard)

Challenges identified

  • Data gaps, lags, or quality issues
  • Analytical hurdles or compute constraints
  • Key assumptions that need validation with stakeholders

Visuals

Static figure

Emerging change signal Raw photo location: figure1.png Figure 1. One sentence on what the indicator suggests.

Animated change (GIF)

Temporal dynamics placeholder Raw photo location: change.gif Figure 2. Describe what shifts over time and how it informs transformation planning.

Interactive map or dashboard (iframe)

Open full map

If an embed doesn’t load, include a direct link immediately below it.

Final Share Out — Insights & transformation pathways

Focus: synthesize the story. Select visuals that explain tipping points, who is affected, and recommended actions. Rehearse a 2-minute walkthrough: Why → Questions → Data → Findings → Next.

Team photo at start of Day 3 Raw photo location: team_photo.jpg

Findings at a glance 📣

  • Headline 1 — key tipping point or threshold identified (quantify if possible)
  • Headline 2 — implication for transformation (policy, practice, community)
  • Headline 3 — confidence level or uncertainty needing follow-up

Visuals that tell the story 📣

Primary insight visual placeholder Raw photo location: fire_hull.png Visual 1. Core message about tipping points or resilience.

Supporting panels for key insights Raw photo location: hull_panels.png Visual 2. Comparative evidence, scenario contrasts, or stakeholder narratives.

Complementary result figure placeholder Raw photo location: main_result.png Visual 3. Additional indicator or next-step experiment.

What’s next? 📣

  • Immediate follow-ups for this team
  • What we would pursue with one more week/month
  • Key partners or audiences who should see the work next
Project brief PDF
Read the brief 		View shared code
View code 		Explore data
Explore data

Team

Name Role Contact GitHub
Add name Lead / Coordination email@example.org @github-handle
Add name Data / Indicators email@example.org @github-handle
Add name Methods / Modeling email@example.org @github-handle
Add name Communications / Storytelling email@example.org @github-handle

Storage

Code Keep shared scripts, notebooks, and utilities in the code/ directory. Document how to run them (README, notebook cells, or comments) so collaborators can reproduce analyses.

Documentation Use the docs/ folder to publish public updates on this site. Longer internal notes can live in documentation/; summarize key points here to keep the public story fresh.

Cite & reuse

If you use or share materials from this sprint, please cite:

ESIIL Innovation Summit Team 1. (2025). Defining Tipping Points and Transformation. GitHub. https://github.com/CU-ESIIL/defining-tipping-points-and-transformation-innovation-summit-2025__1

License: CC-BY-4.0 unless noted. See dataset licenses on the Data page.