2022 Program

2022 Field School Cancelled

We regret to inform you that due to unexpectedly low enrollment, we are making the difficult decision to cancel the Participatory Modeling Field School this summer. We plan to hold the Field School again in the summer of 2023. We will fully refund your field school registration. Please be sure to cancel any hotel or airline reservations. We hope to see you in 2023.

Participants of the 2022 Field School will have the opportunity to learn the basics of two participatory modeling techniques from among four: agent-based modeling, fuzzy cognitive mapping, system dynamics modeling, and social network analysis.

Workshops are designed to cover all aspects of a participatory modeling project, including:

  • How to identify and formulate problems of concern to communities for modeling
  • How to develop a modeling team and manage power dynamics by design
  • How to select the right modeling technique(s) for a particular problem
  • How to engage community stakeholders throughout the modeling process
  • How to model complex problems with community partners
  • How to design, monitor, and evaluate a participatory modeling project 

PLEASE NOTE: Because the modeling methods sessions are hands-on, you might be required to download software. Learn about the various modeling techniques and download the software.

Preliminary Program

Preliminary Program for the 2022 Participatory Modeling Field School
Time Monday, August 15 Tuesday, August 16 Wednesday, August 17 Thursday, August 18
9:00 - 9:15 a.m. WELCOME
9:15 - 10:15 a.m.

Keynote Address

The Ethics of Participatory Modeling

Rebecca Riccio, Director, Social Impact Lab, Northeastern University

Identifying and Formulating Problems for Modeling

Kyle Metta
Moira Zelllner

Keynote Address

Ellis Ballard, Director, Social System Design Lab, Washington University in St. Louis

Panel Discussion

New Directions in Participatory Modeling

Saurav Kumar
Steven Scyphers
Renee V. Wallace
Moira Zelllner
10:15 - 10:30 a.m. BREAK
10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Introduction to Systems Thinking

Laura Schmitt Olabisi

Designing a Modeling Team and Project Grounded in Equitable Participation

Renee V. Wallace

Modeling Methods 1.1

  • Agent-based Modeling
  • Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
  • System Dynamics Modeling
  • Social Network Analysis

Modeling Methods 2.1

  • Agent-based Modeling
  • Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
  • System Dynamics Modeling
  • Social Network Analysis
12:00 - 1:00 p.m. LUNCH
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Meet Detroit Communities and Community Leaders (Driving Tour)

Renee V. Wallace
Miles McNall

Selecting the Right Modeling Technique(s) for the Problem

Moira Zelllner

Modeling Methods 1.2

  • Agent-based Modeling
  • Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
  • System Dynamics Modeling
  • Social Network Analysis

Modeling Methods 2.2

  • Agent-based Modeling
  • Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping
  • System Dynamics Modeling
  • Social Network Analysis
2:30 - 2:45 p.m. BREAK
2:45 - 3:45 p.m.

Engaging Community Members Through the Modeling Process

Renee V. Wallace

Participatory Evaluation and Process Monitoring

Miles McNall
Renee V. Wallace

Designing Your Own Participatory Modeling Project

Miles McNall
3:45 - 4:00 p.m. BREAK
4:00 - 5:00 p.m. NETWORKING

Instructors

Steven Allen Gray
Associate Professor, Department of Community Sustainability
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan State University

Saurav Kumar 
Assistant Professor, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
Texas A&M University

Kyle Metta 
Postdoctoral Fellow in Community Systems, Center for Community Health and Development
University of Kansas

Miles McNall 
Director for Community-Engaged Research, Office of Public Engagement and Scholarship
University Outreach and Engagement
Michigan State University

Laura Schmitt Olabisi 
Associate Professor, Department of Community Sustainability
College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Michigan State University

Steven Scyphers 
Assistant Professor, Marine and Environmental Sciences
Northeastern University

Reneé V. Wallace 
CEO, Doers Edge
Executive Director, FoodPLUS Detroit

Moira Zelllner 
Professor, Public Policy and Urban Affairs
Director, Participatory Modeling and Data Science
Northeastern University