The aim of this course is to understand the challenges of environmental decision-making processes arising from the tensions between social, economic and environmental interests. Students will learn several techniques and tools to support environmental decision-making and apply them to real life decision-making problems. We will work with systematic models for decision-making design, cognitive problem mapping, The Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, SWOT analysis, stakeholder mapping, stakeholders network analysis, mental models, analysis of alternatives, multicriteria decision aiding, future scenarios and uncertainty analysis.

The course is designed so that the majority of the creative work takes place in class, in groups of students with teacher support. However, students will be asked to contact real stakeholders and to carry out two practical applications of the chosen tool in real life situations.