Participatory Environmental Modeling
The lecture accompanies students into a participatory modelling process about a real-world environmental problem. Each problem has been co-design with a partner that will follow groups of 2-3 students. This year we propose five topics
- What are the relevant factors involved in the decision to clear land for Cashew production in villages surrounding the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary, Cambodia? – With Emiel de Lange and Henry Travers from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia
- How does participation and compliance with a Payment for Ecosystem Services scheme for cashew production in Cambodia evolve in a community setting over time? – With Emiel de Lange and Henry Travers from Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Cambodia
- What are the social factors influencing the approval of alpine solar energy projects in Wallis and Graubünden? – With Aaron Heinzmann from Mountain Wilderness
- What factors influence the perception of landscape wilderness in Switzerland? – With Luisa Deubzer from Mountain Wilderness
- How to assemble diversified and viable farms? – With Silvère Dumazel from Transiterra
The course will be taught in English.
The output will be presented to our partners. Final mark will be given to a report.
Description in the course catalogue
Goals
In this course students will learn:
• The process of developing a model to address an environmental problem: from choosing an appropriate technique (Agent-based modelling, Bayesian Networks and System dynamics), to conceptualization and model building.
• Communication and facilitation skills to foster effective and legitimate collaboration with stakeholders.
Students then apply this knowledge and skills to a real-life case study, creating a model with stakeholders to address an environmental problem.
Dates / Time / Locations / Topics
22.02.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lecture: Introduction to Participatory Environnmental Modeling
29.02.24 - HIL D 60.1
Meeting case study partners
07.03.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lecture: Modelling cycle and adapative modelling
14.03.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lecture: What is conceptualization, and how to?
21.03.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lecture: From conceptualization to operationalization
28.03.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lecture: Selecting modelling tool: Bayesian Network (BN), agent-based modelling (ABM), System Dynamics (SD)
11.04.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lab: Coding and modelling with chosen model
18.04.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lab: Coding and modelling with chosen model
25.04.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lab: Coding and modelling with chosen model
02.05.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lab: Updating and finalizing the model
16.05.24 - HIL D 60.1
Lab: Updating and finalizing the model: Preparation for presentations
23.05.24- HIL D 60.1
Final presentation to stakeholders
30.05.24 - HIL D 60.1
Concluding remarks - Feedback partners/lecturers/students