Page 272 -

12 Participatory Approaches 271

A modelling process with the purpose of simulation has two dimensions along
which these scales might be assessed: model content and building on one hand and
control over model use on the other. Though these two dimensions are related, it is
useful to consider them separately as they provide power and knowledge: either
within the process or in the system in which the process takes place. Each of
these dimensions is more closely related to specific stages in the modelling process
presented in the previous subsection. However, some stages, such as model design
or implementation, contribute to both dimensions.
Therefore we consider the following categories:
– Information on a model’s content and no control over model use
– Consultation and no control over model use
– Dialogue with modellers and no control over model use
– Dialogue with modellers and control over model use
– Co-building of a model and no control over model use
– Co-building of a model and control over model use
Each category is described in the following subsection by a flow of interactions
within an interaction network based on four poles: A, R, M and P. A stands for
all people who are involved in and/or concerned by the social complexity at stake
in the modelling process. This includes policymakers and citizens. R stands for
researchers involved in the modelling process. M stands for the model. P stands for
policymakers. P is a subset of A, which gathers the actors who might use the model
and its output for the design of new regulations or policies concerning the system
as a whole. We chose to gather citizens and policymakers in A, as in the modelling
process they are rather equivalent in their interactions with the researchers about
the model. Their distinction is useful for the second dimension: model use and
dissemination. We assume that the default situation is an access of P members to
the output of the modelling process.

12.4.2.1 Information and No Control

A R

P M

Participants are informed about the model’s content and the simulation by
researchers, who are the only designers. No control over the model’s use or
dissemination is deputed to participants as such. Whatever the use of the model may
be afterwards, citizens become only better aware of the basis on which this model
has been built. However, the model exists and can be used by members of P.Thisis
the classical situation with simulation demonstration and explanation of a model’s
assumptions. This explanation might be achieved by more active means, such as a