**This page displays the PhD thesis written by Lisette van Beek.**
Lisette her paranymphs created this page so everyone interested can access Lisette her thesis. Please click to download her thesis below or go to "Files".
***Thesis summary:***
All over the world ambitious climate targets are being set. In order to understand how these targets could be achieved, scientists and policymakers use a specific type of computer model: Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs). IAMs can simulate complex climate-society interactions and compare a large number of scenarios. But they tend to focus on technologies and cost-efficiency rather than radical transformations and justice. It is therefore important to reconsider their influential role.
This thesis investigates the past and current role of IAMs (Part I) and explores potential future roles (Part II).
*Part I* shows how de models became increasingly influential since the 1970s. Modellers continually anticipated emerging demands of policy community and adjusted their scenarios accordingly. Through this ‘political calibration’, modellers maintain their policy-relevance. But it also restricts the imagination of radically different futures and consideration of societal views.
*Part II* explores how this possibility space can be opened up by bringing modellers into conversation with climate fiction writers and by initiating an artist residency. It finds a huge potential of such interactions, because artists use different forms of representation and ask different types of questions. But engaging with artists does not guarantee more radical imagination. This potential is hampered by viewing artists merely as science communicators. Artists are also restricted by the genres and norms of their own artistic practice. Another way to open-up the possibility space is through citizen engagement. But again, this opening-up is not guaranteed; experts strongly influence the outcomes of citizen engagement practices.
In conclusion, IAMs do not only explore futures but bring those into being. But this influential role is not set in stone. New interactions between modelling, policy and society are possible. This is a critical step towards a sustainable and socially just future.
*Please note, Lisette will defend her thesis on December 15th at Utrecht University.*
