POCAM aims to provide for the first time a unified ontology, within the framework of a powers metaphysics, for explaining the success of three kinds of causal modelling technique: Structural Equations Models, Fault Tree Analyses, and Petri Nets. While these techniques are both diverse and pervasive in the applied sciences, no attempt has been made to draw a connection between them all and an underlying metaphysics of causal relations. Dr Toby Friend’s expertise in the metaphysics of causation and background in engineering will enable the innovation of a novel ontology within the powers framework which can fill this lacuna. In developing the new ontology, Dr Friend will bring philosophical scrutiny to the causal modelling techniques thereby illuminating what it is in the world which unifies and explains their practical success. POCAM will also facilitate a better translation between the ‘scientific image’ of causation explicated in these highly formal techniques and the ‘manifest image’ of causation we engage with as human agents. This ground-breaking research will be carried out at Freie Universität Berlin under the supervision of Professor Dr Barbara Vetter, a world-leader in powers metaphysics. The research will also receive the advice of Professor Dr Katinka Wolter, an expert on Petri Nets and Fault Tree Analysis, and Professor Dr Beate Krickel, an expert on philosophical applications of Structural Equations Models. With this research Dr Friend will also establish himself as a promising candidate for permanent academic roles in Europe.