Participatory modeling in environmental decision-making

Call for Chapters
Participatory modeling in environmental decision-making: Methods, tools, and
applications 

We would like to invite researchers from the environmental, social, and
computer sciences (broadly speaking) to submit chapter proposals for a
forthcoming edited volume on participatory modeling in environmental
decision-making. The main goal of the book is to unite in one text the
theory, tools, methods and case study applications of participatory modeling
to support either:
•    Environmental and natural resource decision-making, OR 
•    An approach to better understand the structure and function of
social-ecological systems. 
We anticipate each methodological section to begin with a general and broad
overview of the method presented in that section (e.g. Bayesian Networks,
Agent-based models, etc.) to be followed by descriptions of tools available
and case study examples of the application of those methods/tools in a
diverse set of real-world contexts.  A tentative structure for the book is
presented below. We welcome comments and suggestions regarding topics or
issues that are not mentioned.

Section 1. Theoretical Background and Overview
• 
 Affordances of modeling tools for public, stakeholder and expert 
participation in the management and analysis of natural resources and
social-ecological systems
•  Representing stakeholder knowledge, values, and preferences in natural
resource management through modeling
•  Collaborative learning within complex and adaptive environmental systems
•  Frameworks for data collection and stakeholder participation

Section 2. Fuzzy-logic Cognitive Mapping
•  Introduction to FCM
•  Software Tools and Analytical Techniques
•  Case Study Applications

Section 3. Bayesian Networks
•  Introduction to Bayesian Networks
•  Software Tools and Analytical Techniques
•  Case Study Applications

Section 4. Systems Dynamics
•  Introduction to Systems Dynamics 
•  Software Tools and Analytical Techniques
•  Case Study Applications

Section 5. Agent-based Modeling
•  Introduction to ABM
•  Software Tools and Analytical Techniques
•  Case Study Applications

Section 6. Comparison of methods/techniques and Conclusion
•  Affordances and limitations of participatory modeling techniques
•  Reflections on the selection and deployment of modeling techniques appropriate to
a given decision/analysis context
•  Next steps and research priorities in methods and tools

Important dates:
Chapter Proposal Submission Deadline:       December 1st 2013
Notification of Proposal Acceptance:         January 1st 2014
Full Chapter Submission (anticipated):          July 1st 2014

Submission of manuscripts
Inquiries (e-mail) and submissions can be forwarded electronically to:
Dr. Steven A. Gray
Email: Stevenallangray@gmail.com 
School for the Environment
University of Massachusetts, Boston
Phone: (646) 915-2915.

Target Audience
The audience of this book is both the academic and applied research
communities that have an interest in using participatory modeling
techniques, either as a theoretical framework, scientific research endeavor,
or as a methodology and tool for applied environmental or resource management. 

Submission information
Academics, researchers and practitioners are invited to submit a chapter
proposal by December 1st 2013, which includes a 500 word abstract and a
brief outline detailing the background, motivations and structure of their
proposed chapter. Authors of accepted proposals will be notified by January
1st 2014. Please submit chapter proposals in Word.

Full chapters of accepted articles are due in July of 2014 and should be of
around 5,000 words in length and/or 12 pages long. All chapters will be
reviewed on a double-blind basis. The book is under consideration by
Springer. This publication is anticipated to be released in early 2015.

Please feel free to contact us with comments or questions and to disseminate
this CFP widely.

Thanks!

Steven Gray – University of Massachusetts, Boston- School for the
Environment (stevenallangray@gmail.com)

Stefan Gray  – University College Cork, Ireland - Coastal and Marine
Research Centre (s.gray@ucc.ie)

Rebecca Jordan  – Rutgers University, Department of Ecology, Evolution and
Natural Resources, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
(Jordan@aesop.rutgers.edu)