SEAMLESS. System for Environmental and Agricultural Modelling; Linking European Science and Society. D7.3.1: Participatory methods, guidelines and good practice guidance to be applied throughout the project to enhance problem definition, co learning, synthesis and dissemination.
Système de Modélisation en Environnement et Agronomie reliant Science et Société. D7.3.1: Méthodes participatives, guide de bonnes pratiques à appliquer dans le projet pour contribuer à la définition du problème, le co-apprentissage, la synthèse et la dissémination des connaissances.
Résumé
The objective of this deliverables is to provide SEAMLESS teams with participatory methods, guidelines and good practice guidance to be applied throughout the project to enhance problem definition, co learning, synthesis and dissemination. Five methodological key issues that should be taken into account in the design of participatory methods for problem definition, co-learning, synthesis and dissemination have been pointed out and discussed. They are: definition of the subject matter for discussions, identification and mobilization of stakeholders, definition of issues of the discussions, selection and adaptation of a relevant participatory method, and definition of the roles of scientists. Then a large set of pre-defined participatory methods is provided, with a detailed description of the issue of the discussion (mapping diversity of view versus participants reaching consensus; advising policy makers versus empowerment of participants), the subject matter for the discussion (field and scope definition, procedure and realization how to use, resource considerations, best practices and potential pitfalls). Finally, the deliverable provides guidance for defining what we are consulting about (subject matter for discussions and issues of discussions in SEAMLESS), who to consult, when to consult, how to carry out the consultation, how to analyse the results of consultation, and how to provide feedback, and how to evaluate the exercise. Examples of application of such guidance for the construction of protocols for the pre and post modeling stages in SEAMLESS are provided.