How to get your model results used: a guide to stakeholder engagement

Abstract

The usage of modelling results by their intended audience is an important aspect of undertaking any project. However, providing the appropriate results in the correct way to key stakeholders is not a straightforward task. Fortunately, there is a growing body of work about approaching the engagement of stakeholders in a way to maximize the impact of modelling results. Using the lessons learnt from a number of recent workshops, including those conducted for the benefits realization process undertaken for the Environment Agency of England and Wales, suggestions for best practice are presented and their relative merits discussed. Best practice for getting groundwater modelling results used by their intended audience is proposed.

From data to decisions: Processing information, biases, and beliefs for improved management of natural resources and environments

“…The second is to establish and document core principles , agreed upon by participants and communities, early in the process. This is essential to the operation of our adaptive framework [ Voinov and Gaddis , ; Voinov and Bousquet , ; Hughes et al , ; Voinov et al , ]. The principles establish rules of engagement and behavior throughout the process.…”

From ad-hoc modelling to strategic infrastructure: A manifesto for model management

“…• In response to the EU's water framework directive, the UK also established a National Groundwater Model (Hughes et al, 2012, Shepley et al, 2012) that continues to be developed, e.g. by integrating a recharge component (Farrell et al, 2017).…”

Climatology in support of climate risk management

“…In a similar vein Coelho and Costa (2010), Marshall et al (2011) and Lemos et al (2012) address the challenges of integrating a SCF into user applications, describe reasons relating to the reluctance of resource users to contemplate the potential benefits of a SCF and consider strategies for narrowing the climate information gap between producers and consumers of climate information. In a similar vein Cash et al (2006) describe the pitfalls associated with taking a ''loading-dock'' approach to linking science and decision making and Hughes et al (2012) outline the importance of stakeholder engagement in relation to the uptake of climate modelling outputs. In relation to uncertainty in decision making, Keohane et al (2014) touch on some of the ethical issues climate scientists need to be aware of when communicating climate science.…”