HESS Opinions: Reflecting and acting on the social aspects of modelling

Abstract. Within hydrological modelling, a persistent notion exists that a model is a neutral, objective tool. However, this notion has several, potentially harmful, consequences, such as marginalising certain stakeholders. In the critical social sciences, the non-neutrality in methods and research results is an established topic of debate. Thus we propose that in order to deal with it in hydrological modelling, the hydrological modelling network can learn from, and with, critical social sciences. This is a call for responsible modelling – modelling that is accountable, transparent, power-sensitive, situated and reproducible and this responsibility is carried by all actors related to the modelling study. To support our proposition, we have four pillars of arguments, detailing the social aspects in hydrological modelling, insights from the critical social sciences, how to build bridges between sciences, and reflecting on what the hydrological modelling network can learn. We provide several actionable recommendations as a follow-up. The main take-away, from our perspective, is that responsible modelling is a shared responsibility. Therefore, we invite all actors – from the modelling network (from commissioner to modeller to end-user) and society – to take up their share in establishing responsible modelling.