Power to the People: Participatory Modeling for Societal Resilience
When communities face their most pressing challenges—managing disaster risk, adapting to climate change, navigating energy transitions—solutions rarely emerge from the top down. These problems are inherently messy: stakeholders clash over competing values, frame reality differently, and bring distinct expertise to the table. Yet this complexity, when engaged thoughtfully, becomes a source of strength.
Participatory modeling channels this strength by embedding stakeholders in the construction of formal problem representations. This transforms modeling from a unidirectional knowledge transfer into a process of collaborative knowledge co-production, enabling diverse perspectives to strengthen systems understanding and build collective agency.
Agent-based modeling (ABM) is particularly well-suited to this purpose. Its capacity to represent heterogeneous actors, capture emergent dynamics, and make assumptions explicit positions it as a powerful boundary object across disciplines and communities.
This workshop convenes scholars and practitioners working at the intersection of participatory modeling, agent-based modeling, and stakeholder engagement. We aim to critically examine how these approaches address social complexity, share empirical findings, and develop more rigorous frameworks for participatory processes that genuinely redistribute agency in decision-making.
Who can participate?
If you are an expert in participatory methods but have no clue about how modeling works, this can be an interesting introduction to participatory modelling. If you are well versed in modeling and agent-based simulations but you have never used participatory methods, this is a nice opportunity to learn about the various ways in which different stakeholders can engage with your models.
The event is free to attend and will take place in a fully hybrid format.
Programme
Wednesday 24 June
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10:30 – 11:00
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Welcome and Opening RemarksIntroduction to the workshop objectives, participants, and programme.
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11:00 – 12:30
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Participatory SessionInteractive session exploring participatory approaches to crisis preparedness, policy design, and stakeholder engagement.
Facilitators: M. Varanda & M. Nieto Romero (ISEG, University of Lisbon)
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12:30 – 13:30
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Lunchat 2211 Heymansgebouw (Restaurant: RAH- gedeelte) |
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13:30 – 15:30
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Abstract Presentation Session I
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15:30 – 16:00
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Coffee Break |
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16:00 – 17:00
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Invited TalkPublic Participation in Climate and Energy Policy - G. Perlaviciute (University of Groningen) |
Thursday 25 June
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09:30 – 10:30
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Invited TalkWalking towards a cliff edge -- how might agent-based modelling complement participatory futures processes to help make tipping points real? - Bruce Edmonds (UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Umeå University). |
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10:30 – 11:00
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Coffee Break |
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11:00 – 12:00
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Invited TalkCo‑Designing Emergency Response: A Participatory Framework for Community Mapping - Leonardo Palumbo (WHO Europe) |
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12:00 – 13:30
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Lunchat 2211 Heymansgebouw (Restaurant: RAH- gedeelte) |
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13.30 – 14.30
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Abstract Presentation Session II (Online)
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14.30 – 15.00
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Coffee break |
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15:00 – 16:00
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Invited TalkFacilitating change in groundwater governance. The experience of two researchers in a techno-centric European project. - M. Varanda & M. Nieto Romero (ISEG, University of Lisbon) |
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18:30 – 21:00
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Workshop Dinnerat Idli Cooker, Herenstraat 96, Groningen, 9711LM, NL |
Friday 26 June
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09:30 – 10:30
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Invited Talk (Online)PRSM, the Participatory System Mapper - Prof. Nigel Gilbert (University of Surrey) |
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10:30 – 11:00
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Coffee Break |
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11:00 – 12:30
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Abstract Presentation Session III
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12:30 – 14:00
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Lunch and farewell to participants |
Event Information
Venue
Noordamzaal (M.0074)
Ground Floor, Munting Building (Muntinggebouw)
Faculty of Behavioural and Social Sciences (GMW)
University of Groningen
Address
Grote Kruisstraat 2
9712 TS Groningen
The Netherlands
Online Participation Links
Online presentation: https://meet.google.com/syj-hnnz-siv
Livestream:
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24 June (09:00–17:00): https://video.rug.nl/media/0_gz15k98g
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25 June (09:00–17:00): https://video.rug.nl/media/0_dessmpy4
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26 June (09:00–17:00): https://video.rug.nl/media/0_kuldprqe
Practical Information
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Wi-Fi access will be available for all participants.
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Coffee, tea, and lunch will be provided on all workshop days.
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The workshop dinner will take place on Thursday evening - participants have to pay themselves; information about time and location will follow.
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Online participation will be available for selected sessions.
Call for Abstracts
We invite 500-word abstracts (including title and references) addressing participatory modeling, agent-based modeling, and collaborative approaches to socially complex environmental and policy challenges. Please send your abstract to: f.giardini rug.nl by June 15, 2026.
Topics include:
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Agent-based models as tools for stakeholder engagement and dialogue
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Participatory modeling in climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, or energy transitions
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Social complexity and heterogeneity in modeling practice
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Boundary objects and interdisciplinary knowledge integration
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Power, equity, and representation in participatory processes
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Critical assessments of participatory approaches: limitations and challenges
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