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Journal Article

Navigating the space between empirics and theory – Empirically stylized modelling for theorising social-ecological phenomena

Authors

Schlüter,  Maja
External Organizations;

Wijermans,  Nanda
External Organizations;

González-Mon,  Blanca
External Organizations;

Lindkvist,  Emilie
External Organizations;

Orach,  Kirill
External Organizations;

/persons/resource/hannah.prawitz

Prawitz,  Hannah
Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research;

Martin,  Romina
External Organizations;

Martínez-Peña,  Rodrigo
External Organizations;

Pellowe,  Kara E.
External Organizations;

Sanga,  Udita
External Organizations;

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Fulltext (public)

1-s2.0-S1364815225001288-main.pdf
(Publisher version), 2MB

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Citation

Schlüter, M., Wijermans, N., González-Mon, B., Lindkvist, E., Orach, K., Prawitz, H., Martin, R., Martínez-Peña, R., Pellowe, K. E., Sanga, U. (2025): Navigating the space between empirics and theory – Empirically stylized modelling for theorising social-ecological phenomena. - Environmental Modelling and Software, 189, 106444.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2025.106444


Cite as: https://publications.pik-potsdam.de/pubman/item/item_32376
Abstract
The potential of agent-based modelling (ABM) for developing theory has been recognized, yet methodologies are lacking. Building theories of social-ecological systems is challenging because of complex causality, context-dependence, and social-ecological interdependencies. We propose an approach that addresses these challenges through combining case-based empirical research with ABM in a collaborative modelling process. In-depth empirical research is essential for identifying a puzzle and potential explanations thereof, and for recognizing context and social-ecological interdependencies. Collaborative model building and analysis enables careful abstraction and reflection, and allows further exploring and testing the emerging theory in dynamic contexts, leading to better-grounded and transparent assumptions and theories. We call this approach BIM (Being In the Middle) and articulate it through three features: contextually embedded, collaboratively abductive and empirically stylized. We highlight how BIM facilitates new interdisciplinary avenues for discovering social-ecological interdependencies, discuss how it can be applied and what challenges and frontiers lie ahead.