Rawad El Skaf

I am a philosopher of science examining surrogative reasoning or how tools like models, simulations, and scenarios help us understand complex systems—especially when direct experimentation is impossible. I have applied this analysis to diverse fields, from fundamental physics to climate change research.

I am currently an Affiliated Scholar at the SOCRATES Centre for Advanced Studies, Leibniz University Hannover.

Current Project: The Philosophy of Scenarios

My ongoing project focuses on the "scenario" as a crucial but under-examined scientific tool. Scenarios, such as those used by the IPCC to model future climate pathways, are not neutral projections; they are built on value-laden assumptions that shape our policy options.

I am developing a new science-for-policy philosophical framework—the PFDD Framework (Plausibility, Feasibility, Desirability, Diversity)—to make these assumptions visible and to help scientisist build scenarios that are more transparent, inclusive, and robust for decision-making under deep uncertainty.

Background

My academic journey is international and includes research and teaching positions at the University of Salzburg (Marie Curie Fellow), the Politecnico di Milano, and visiting periods at the University of Geneva, University of Pittsburgh, Universidad de Chile, and the Lebanese American University.