Solving complex environmental issues requires participation and decision making from diverse stakeholders who represent multiple disciplines and perspectives. In addition, it can be difficult to make sense of the several dimensions and processes at play in multifaceted socio-environmental systems, as well as hard to prioritize impacts and pathways forward. Participatory modeling, however, is one way to address these challenges.
In this tutorial video, Dr. Moira Zellner, of Northeastern University, explains how she and her colleagues have used a range of modeling approaches with stakeholders to engage them in participatory decision-making processes. Zellner starts by defining what participatory modeling is and then goes on to explain why it is useful for addressing complex socio-environmental problems. Discussing the key challenges related to the process, she provides a framework for increasing stakeholder engagement and overall effectiveness. She also highlights parts of the process that are critical for maximizing the usefulness of participatory modeling. Zellner then illustrates these practices using a platform developed to support participatory modeling, called fora.ai.