WP1 – End user needs and expectations of the MEDiate DSS

Participatory Action Research (PAR) provides the overarching research methodology for the co-development and coevaluation of the MEDiate DSS (Figure 6). This WP addresses the first PAR cycle. The objectives of this WP are to elicit stakeholder needs and preferences, as well as to amend the initial MEDiate conceptual model with input from the stakeholders drawn from the four MEDiate testbeds and to provide end-user needs assessment into WP2, 3 and 4. To this end the WP will: (a) Review the MEDiate conceptual model from an academic and end-user perspective; (b) Conduct the first PAR cycle to test early iterations of the MEDiate technical/scientific models and DSS with end-user stakeholders in the testbeds and provide technical and operational feedback on the responses of the stakeholder groups to the models and DSS; (c) Modify the conceptual framework (if required) to address end-user feedback. To support these activities, PAR teams will be compiled from representatives of ARU, IIASA, OSL, DEL and at least one representative from WP2, 3 and 4 for each testbed. These teams will conduct the PAR research in their specific testbed. The results generated in WP1 feed directly into WP2, 3, 4 and 5.