14. The interface between hydrological modelling and political ecology

This chapter considers the potential of models to work as a boundary object between the hydrological sciences and political ecology. First, we discuss how political ecology and science and technology studies have critiqued mainstream perspectives on science as neutral, and shielded from political influences and power dynamics. In response to this critique, we propose two alternative approaches to hydrological modelling, showing how methods can be mixed in ways that make modelling potentially more democratic, reflexive and situated. The first approach concerns participatory modelling and its potential to redistribute power and ‘expertise’ across different knowledge holders. The second concerns an engagement with political ecology to develop models that are more attuned to the role of power in shaping water-related development challenges and the uneven outcomes thereof. We conclude that power-sensitive modelling has the potential to generate insights to enable more just water policies and actions.