Journal Articles


 Journal Articles: October 2018

Mulrennan, M., & Bussières, V. (2018). Social-ecological resilience in indigenous coastal edge contexts. Ecology and Society, 23(3).

Photo by: Brandon University


Abstract
Cultural edges, as sites of encounter and interaction between two or more cultural groups, tend to result in increased access to knowledge, skills, and material goods. First proposed more than a decade ago as an elaboration of the ecological edge concept, we suggest that cultural edges merit closer attention, particularly in relation to the complex histories and diverse processes of interaction indigenous communities have had with outsiders, including settlers and other indigenous groups. Our analysis is focused on the coastal Cree Nation of Wemindji, Eeyou Istchee, northern Québec (Canada) where multiple ecological and cultural edges have provided increased access to harvesting resources as well as expanded opportunities for social interaction and partnerships, knowledge and technology transfer, and economic diversification. As the locus within indigenous social-ecological systems where strategies for resistance and adaptation to disturbance and change are applied, including active enhancement of edge benefits, the concept of edges contributes to our understanding of the social, cultural, and ecological processes that shape indigenous territories and contribute to enhanced social-ecological resilience.


O’Donoghue, C., & Dekkers, G. (2018). Increasing the Impact of Dynamic Microsimulation Modelling. International Journal of Microsimulation, 11(1), 61–96.
Abstract
This  paper  considers  the  degree  of  progress  made  by  the  field  of  dynamic microsimulation over the past five decades. It highlights the expanding breadth of the field, both in terms of the number of countries and in terms of the broadening policy area. It also outlines concerns in relation to lack of emphasis historically in relation to the transmission of codified and in  the  sometimes-proprietary  ownership  model.  Moving  forward,  an  improved  focus  on  the codification  and peer  review  of  methodologies  used  in  the  field  is  suggested.  In  terms  of  tacit knowledge  transmission,  the organisation  of  more  regional  meetings  of  the  International Microsimulation Association is encouraged.
In terms of future areas for model development, the opportunities are to  incorporate  behaviour  to  a  greater  extent,  utilise  more  data  in  the  big  data revolution, to increase the field of microsimulation into new policy areas, and to share code and work in networks. Finally, the role of peer review is highlighted.