The role of computer modelling in participatory integrated assessments Bernd Siebenhqner * , Volker Barth 1 Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, School of Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics and Law, GELENA Research Group, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany Received 4 February 2004; received in revised form 4 October 2004; accepted 4 October 2004 Available online 30 November 2004 Abstract In a number of recent research projects, computer models have been included in participatory procedures to assess global environmental change. The intention was to support knowledge production and to help the involved non-scientists to develop a deeper understanding of the interactions between natural and social systems. This paper analyses the experiences made in three projects with the use of computer models from a participatory and a risk management perspective. Our cross-cutting analysis of the objectives, the employed project designs and moderation schemes and the observed learning processes in participatory processes with model use shows that models play a mixed role in informing participants and stimulating discussions. However, no deeper reflection on values and belief systems could be achieved. In terms of the risk management phases, computer models serve best the purposes of problem definition and option assessment within participatory integrated assessment (PIA) processes. D 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Keywords: Participatory integrated assessment; Computer models; Sustainability science 0195-9255/$ - see front matter D 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. doi:10.1016/j.eiar.2004.10.002 * Corresponding author. Tel.: +49 441 798 4366; fax: +49 441 798 4379. E-mail addresses: bernd.siebenhuener@uni-oldenburg.de (B. Siebenhqner)8 volker.barth@uni-oldenburg.de (V. Barth). 1 Tel.: +49 441 798 4399; fax: +49 441 798 4379. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 25 (2005) 367 – 389 www.elsevier.com/locate/eiar