Agent-based modelling (ABM) allows researchers to formalise complex relations between individuals and groups, manipulate parameters and observe outcomes of the experimentation. ABM provides unique opportunities to combine information from different data sources in one model and examine research questions that could not be answered with ‘traditional’ quantitative or qualitative methods.

The aim of the workshop is to provide an introduction to different modelling approaches, with a particular focus on agent-based modelling. We will present examples from psychology and crime science that showcase how ABM and other methods can be successfully combined to answer original research questions. In addition, participants will learn principles for building good models, how to define a research question for ABM, as well as how to operationalise and formalise different data. Applying these theoretical insights, participants will work together to identify how ABM can be implemented in their research programmes.

Important: This workshop is an introduction to ABM. We will not teach programming languages to conduct ABM. However, we hope that after the workshop participants will consider ABM as a relevant method for their research and initiate collaborations with researchers from other disciplines, notably computer science, to implement the method.

We invite early career scholars (MRes and PhD students, post-docs, and lecturers) from different disciplines, especially the social sciences and humanities, to attend our workshop. Previous experience with programming or modelling is welcome but not required. 

Places are limited, please register early to avoid disappointment.

A full programme will be shared with registered participants in mid-May. Lunch, coffee and snacks will be provided.

If you have any questions, please contact Sandy Schumann (s.schumann@ucl.ac.uk) or Tristan Caulfield (t.caulfield@ucl.ac.uk).

This workshop is free thanks to the generous support from a UCL Social Science Plus grant.