Digital Library

of the European Council for Modelling and Simulation

Title:

Multi-Model Ecologies For Addressing Multi-Scale, Multi-Perspective Policy Problems

Authors:

L. A. Bollinger

Published in:

(2013).ECMS 2013 Proceedings edited by: W. Rekdalsbakken, R. T. Bye, H. Zhang  European Council for Modeling and Simulation. doi:10.7148/2013

ISBN: 978-0-9564944-6-7

27^th European Conference on Modelling and Simulation,

Aalesund, Norway, May 27^th – 30^th, 2013

Citation format:

L. A. Bollinger (2013). Multi-Model Ecologies For Addressing Multi-Scale, Multi-Perspective Policy Problems, ECMS 2013 Proceedings edited by: W. Rekdalsbakken, R. T. Bye, H. Zhang, European Council for Modeling and Simulation. doi:10.7148/2013-0681

DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.7148/2013-0681

Abstract:

Many key societal problems share a set of common features – multiple interacting temporal and spatial scales, multiple valid perspectives, changing requirements and unquantifiable uncertainties. These characteristics substantially stress our cognitive and computational resources, limiting our capacity to effectively address these problems. We introduce an approach for dealing with the inherent complexity of such problems. At the core of this approach is the notion of a multi-model ecology – an interacting and constantly evolving system of models, datasets, interfaces and humans tasked with enhancing the ability of decision makers to effectively address a complex policy problem. The multi-model ecology approach entails the systematic fragmentation and gradual reconstitution of a problem’s multiple components and dimensions in an evolving participatory context. We describe an implementation of this approach currently in progress – focused on electricity infrastructure vulnerability to climate change – and identify several key areas of research for developing this approach further.

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