Essentials of Modelling: How to set up a good modeling practice

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Essentials of Modelling: How to set up a good modeling practice 

Monday 17 -  Friday 21 February 2025

Wageningen University - Campus

 

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Scope

Models are simplified representations of a part of reality. Many modelling projects deal with global issues such as climate change, sustainability, or the management of socio-ecological or socio-technical systems. When modelling one must consider an array of aspects that do not directly relate to the mathematical and computational side of modelling such as establishing a common definition, a model ontology, settling on a model purpose, conceptualizing the model to match the model purpose, and considering what data are available or required.

Elements that will be addressed in this course:
- How to involve stakeholders?
- How to establish a shared model ontology?
- How to balance scientific model credibility and technical detail with relevance and societal views and needs?

This course is primarily aimed at participants who are in the start-up of a modelling project. We purposefully aim to involve people from different scientific backgrounds. The emphasis is not on the mathematical, computational, and statistical aspects of modelling per se, but on the elements of the modelling process before that. You will learn about the scoping of a model, and to think critically about the choices in modelling. The set-up is to have participants cooperate with peers from other disciplines to reflect on the foundational design, requirements and purpose of their own modelling projects.

For people interested in the basic principles of modelling from a more mathematical and systems analysis viewpoint, please take a look at the course the Art of modelling.

Programme

The following lecturing programme is proposed:

  • The modelling process, and what can go wrong with it
  • Model scoping, ontology, stakeholder involvement
  • Data and metrics, and balancing model complexity
  • The good, the bad, and the ugly: modelling in real life
  • Presentations and discussions of team assignments
Set-up

This course will take place at the campus of WUR. The week involves lectures, assignments and group-work. Prior to lectures, participants have to prepare questions/points of discussion for after the lectures based on provided reading material. Before (or prior to) the course, we will ask participants to submit a brief note with an answer to the question: “What scares you in your modelling project?”. The goal is to have students exchange their (good/bad) experiences and devise possible solutions during the course.

Course organisers and lecturers
General information
Target Group The course is intended for participants who want to learn about modelling essentials.
Group Size Min. 20 / Max. 24 participants
Course duration 5 days
Language of instruction English
Number of credits 1.5 ECTS
Prior knowledge No prior experience of modelling is required.
Location Wageningen University Campus, Forum Building, Room B0106. Please note that you have to bring your own laptop.
Options for accommodation Accommodation is not included in the fee of the course, but there are several possibilities in Wageningen. For non-WUR PE&RC members 50% of the accommodation costs can be reimbursed with a maximum of €30,- per night. For more information contact Miriam van Heist (miriam.vanheist@wur.nl). For information on B&B's and hotels in Wageningen please visit proefwageningen.nl. Another option is Short Stay Wageningen. Furthermore Airbnb offers several rooms in the area. Finally, there are a number of groups on Facebook where students announce subrent possibilities and things like that. Examples include: Wageningen Room Subrent, Wageningen Room Sublets, and Wageningen Student Plaza. Wageningen has a range of restaurants, but there are also options to have dinner on the University Campus.
 
Fees 1
  EARLY-BIRD FEE 2 REGULAR FEE 2
PE&RC / WIMEK / WASS / EPS / VLAG / WIAS PhD candidates with an approved TSP and WE EngD candidates € 325,- € 375,-
PE&RC postdocs and staff € 650,- € 700,-
All other academic participants € 690,- € 740,-
Non academic participants € 1300,- € 1350,-

1 The course fee includes coffee/tea, and lunches. It does not include accommodation (NB: options for accommodation are given above)
2 The Early-Bird Fee applies to anyone who REGISTERS ON OR BEFORE 23 DECEMBER 2024
Note:

  • The Early-Bird policy is such that the moment of REGISTRATION (and not payment) is leading for determining the fee that applies to you.
  • Please make sure that your payment is arranged within two weeks after your registration. Arrange your payment immediately if you register two weeks or less before the start of the course. 
  • It is the participant's responsibility that the payment is correct and in time.
  • If you need an invoice to complete your payment, please send an email to office.pe@wur.nl, including ALL relevant details that should be mentioned on the invoice (e.g., purchase order no., specific addresses, attendees, etc.).
PE&RC Cancellation Conditions

IMPORTANT: ALWAYS read the Cancellation conditions for PE&RC courses and activities.

More information

Sanja Selakovic(PE&RC)
Email: sanja.selakovic@wur.nl

Registration

To register, please enter your details below and click "Register".

Please specify all relevant details that should be mentioned on the invoice (e.g., purchase order no., specific addresses, attendees, email contact person)