28. Erica Thompson on escaping Model Land

Challenging Climate

Dr Erica Thompson is a Senior Policy Fellow in Ethics of Modelling and Simulation at the LSE Data Science Institute. Erica's research involves the appropriate use of mathematical and computational modelling to inform real-world decision-making. In this episode, we discuss Erica’s recent book, Escape from Model Land and tackle issues such as bias, disillusioning science communication to help us get out of the ‘Model Land’ worldview and into the real world.

Links:

• Erica Thompson’s profile
• Erica’s website
• Check out Erica’s book, Escape from Model Land

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Chapters

1. 28. Erica Thompson on escaping Model Land (00:00:00)

2. Introduction and background (00:03:10)

3. What is a model? What defines a model? (00:06:10)

4. What is Model Land? (00:11:52)

5. Where have models been beneficial in society? (00:13:13)

6. The two paths to escape Model Land (00:16:33)

7. Climate models (00:19:35)

8. What are some challenges unique to climate change and climate modeling? (00:23:18)

9. Seductiveness of climate modeling (00:26:48)

10. Hidden assumptions of climate models (00:31:29)

11. What is the purpose of climate models? (00:36:09)

12. Models on the Covid-19 pandemic (00:43:06)

13. Are you hopeful for the future? (00:45:10)