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Engaging Communities with Participatory Modeling

We work locally with individuals who both affect and are affected by resource challenges to co-create simulations and visualizations that support decision-making. We collaborate with diverse groups to frame research questions, guide methodology and decide how to use results for action.

engaging communities through participatory modeling

Place Matters

Computer models are essential for conceptualizing the complex processes that impact places where people live, work and play. We work with communities to co-create understanding of pressing challenges and support their decision-making.

In participatory research frameworks, diverse groups of people with personal or professional stakes in an issue work together to meet some resource challenge. Stakeholders collaborate to frame research questions, guide methodology and decide how to use results for action.

Participatory modeling involves collaboratively building and interpreting simulations that help with predicting alternative futures and weighing trade-offs. Geospatial participatory modeling (GPM) takes the process one step further by involving location-based simulations. GPM confers a range of benefits and is an emerging area of research.

Learn more about the interdisciplinary researchers advancing this frontier:

Exploring Coastal Squeeze

Our researchers are working with communities in coastal South Carolina to better understand the cultural ecosystem services at risk from sea level rise and urban growth.

Ghost forest on N.C. coast.