Vienna Catchment Science Symposium 2017
Theme: Explaining phenomena through models of different complexity
8th Symposium | 29th April, 2017
© Peter Haas
Most natural sciences aim at understanding natural phenomena through combining observations and model testing.
The aim of this symposium is to learn from sister sciences as diverse as oceanography, biomechanics and tectonics, contrasting their approaches with those used in hydrology, and discuss a generic approach potentially applicable to catchment hydrology. The starting point are observed phenomena, which are then elucidated through models.
Model complexity thus becomes a subordinate issue to what the real goal is - understanding the phenomena.
Programme
Time | Sessions | Location |
---|---|---|
08:30 | Tea, coffee, pastries and greetings | Foyer 3rd floor |
08:45 | Welcome and Introduction Günter Blöschl, Vienna University of Technology, Austria | Kuppelsaal |
09:00 | Explaining ocean phenomena through models of different complexity: the case of the deep convection in the Labrador Sea Bernard Barnier, Institut des Géosciences de l'Environnement, Grenoble, France | Kuppelsaal |
10:15 | Tea and coffee | Foyer 3rd floor |
10:45 | Explaining biomechanical phenomena through models of different complexity Christian Hellmich, Vienna University of Technology, Austria | Kuppelsaal |
11:45 | Short break | |
12:00 | From observations to decisions in the aftermath of the 2010, Haiti, earthquake: complexity at the heart Eric Calais, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France | Kuppelsaal |
13:15 | Lunch | Foyer 3rd Floor |
14:15 | Small Group Discussion Sessions Group 1: A universal approach to explaining phenomena? Aim: to brainstorm the steps required to explore observed phenomena through models – contrasting current approaches in catchment hydrology with those in sister disciplines Moderator: Ross Woods | Kuppelsaal |
Group 2: Complementarity of models of different complexity Aim: to brainstorm what can be gained by exploring observed phenomena through both simpler and more complex models ‐ lessons for hydrology Moderator: Charles Luce | Seminar room Kuppelsaal | |
16:00 | Tea and coffee | Foyer 3rd floor |
16:30 | Plenary: finalising the list of unsolved problem Moderator: Günter Blöschl | Kuppelsaal |
18:00 | Evening drinks reception followed by dinner | Foyer 3rd floor |