Many academics consider qualitative evidence (e.g. texts gained from transcribing oral data or observations of people) and quantitative evidence to be incommensurable. However, agent-based simulations are a possible vehicle for bridging this gap. Narrative textual evidence often gives clues as to the in-context behavior of individuals and is thus a natural source for behaviors to inform the specification of corresponding agent behavior within simulations. The texts will not give a complete picture, but will provide some of “menu” of behaviors people use. During this session we hope to further the understanding of how to improve this. During this session we will discuss the questions and needs of the community working with integrating qualitative data in ABMs.

Schedule
09:30 – 09:35 Introduction
09:35 – 10:10 Discussion based on topics collected from the Qual2Rule community
10:10 – 10:30 Break-out rooms
10:30 – 10:50 Summary of break-out rooms in plenum
10:50 – 11:00 Wrap-up

This session focuses on the process of building an ABM which is/can be a game. We wish to bring together researchers interested in working with both tools to learn from each other’s experience. (NB! The games domain is not the same with the games theory one.)

Schedule
13:30 – 13:35 Introduction
13:35 – 14:00 ABMs that are games / games that are ABMs – general presentation
14:00 – 14:55 Examples of implementations & discussions
14:55 – 15:00 Closing

Modelling human-like decisions is an intrinsic component of any agent-based simulations. However, often the decision representation of observed behaviour is justified by ad-hoc explanations – making our models very specific, difficult to motivate, and dependent on extensive hidden implicit assumptions. We observe that many decision models share extensive commonalities – often implicitly: in nearly all models, agents actions are driven by and adapted to a ‘context’ and with an emphasis on ‘relational’ environment with other agents – social simulations require a society. In this session, we want to empower the participants with foundations from a cognitive perspective to strengthen the grounding and solidity of their decision models. We will organise an interactive session in which participants discuss re-conceptualising context and relationship; revisit their own models from this new perspective; and discuss the future of cognition-centred development for social simulation.

Schedule

11:15 – 11:20 Welcome
11:20 – 11:30 Intro & discussion cognitive component 1: context
11:30 – 11:50 Break out groups cognitive component 1: context
11:50 – 12:00 Gathering insights from discussions & Closing topic 1
12:00 – 12:10 Intro & discussion cognitive component 2: relation
12:10 – 12:30 Break out groups cognitive component 2: relation
12:30 – 12:40 Gathering insights from discussions & Closing topic 2
12:40 – 12:45 Closing

Given the hot discussion on the SimSoc mailing list a while back – with Edmund Chattoe-Brown throwing the proverbial stone in the SimSoc pond – where validation and (amongst others) opinion dynamics were debated, now we can have a synchronous follow-up on this with a group of invitees presenting their ideas and views, followed by Zoom break-outs in smaller groups before having another round.

Guests
Edmund Chattoe-Brown, University of Leicester, UK
Patrycja Antosz, Norce, Norway
Juliette Rouchier, Lamsade, France
Frank Dignum, Umeå University, Sweden
Wander Jager, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

Given the hot discussion on the SimSoc mailing list a while back – with Edmund Chattoe-Brown throwing the proverbial stone in the SimSoc pond – where validation and (amongst others) opinion dynamics were debated, now we can have a synchronous follow-up on this with a group of invitees presenting their ideas and views, followed by Zoom break-outs in smaller groups before having another round.

Guests
Edmund Chattoe-Brown, University of Leicester, UK
Patrycja Antosz, Norce, Norway
Juliette Rouchier, Lamsade, France
Frank Dignum, Umeå University, Sweden
Wander Jager, University of Groningen, the Netherlands

This session is organized by the newborn Special Interest Group on Experimental ABM. The main focus is to discuss with both the members and other interested participants about the role of experiments and empirical data in ABM. To keep the discussion flowing, the session will be divided into 3 parts (each one during ~30 minutes). Each part would focus on a specific topic and will be introduced by a 5/10 mins presentation. The three main discussion topics will be 1. The current state of the experimental literature in ABM. 2. The standards, highlighting possible commonalities and differences with other experimental fields. 3. Future directions, focusing on what can be done to promote more experimental work in ABM.

Schedule
09:30 – 10:00 Experiments in the literature
10:00 – 10:30 Standards for experiments in ABM
10:30 – 11:00 Further development

Teamwork dynamics can be found in all areas of industries and activities making them impactful practices that we interact with routinely. The debates that come out of team discussions hold details of information on interaction dynamics that may give us answer to “what elements in the interaction process contribute to a successful team”. Our research aim is to move toward a better understanding of team outcomes by examining group decision processes using a mix methods approach. This workshop will demonstrate the laboratory group observation portion of the approach and we will discuss what is extracted from the activities performed. Additionally, the simulation model based on this group discussion process will be presented and discussed. Our workshop is an opportunity for participants to experience our research live and interactive, while giving us the chance to discuss extensively our approach, contribution, and limitations with experts in the field.

Schedule
11:15 – 11:30 Introduction
11:30 – 11:40 Explanation of the game
11:40 – 12:10 Play the game
12:10 – 12:20 Discussion of the results
12:20 – 12:35 Bring it back to the research
12:35 – 12:45 Questions and feedback.

The Covid-19 crisis demonstrated the potential value of social simulations for policy makers but also highlighted the challenges arising from using simulations for the purpose of supporting decision-making. The goal of this workshop is to provide a platform for the exchange of experiences with using ABSS for policy making as well as to discuss how ABSS needs to evolve and what tools need to be developed to provide more adequate support for decision makers. Prior to the workshop, we would like to invite all participants to report on their experiences in applying ABSS for policy making and how they believe the optimal support should look like. We also want to give all those that reply to the call for answers the opportunity to hold a short statement at the workshop.

After your registration for this workshop, please answer the questions that can be found here: https://forms.gle/hbnU1VYuMSE8f88PA

Schedule
13:30 – 13:40 Welcome + Framing of the workshop
13:40 – 14:00 Statements of participants
14:00 – 14:45 Group discussion: What is failing in application of ABSS for policy making? What actions are required and how can we achieve this? (Discussion of successful/unsuccessful experiences of ABSS application and how it needs to evolve to facilitate use in policy making)
14:45 – 15:00 Summary of discussion and next steps

With this workshop, we want to initiate a dialogue between legal scholar and agent-based modelers. The method would be a useful addition to the toolbox of legal scholarship and we think that especially modelers with an interest in norms and institutional constraints of human behavior can profit from legal insights. In order to facilitate an active kick-off, we plan an exchange in small groups: (law) researchers are invited to hand in short “proposals for discussion”, i.e., theoretical or empirical puzzles, where ABM could provide a useful perspective. We select those that are most interesting and distinct from each other as puzzles to be discussed in small groups during the workshop. Groups present their discussion as e.g., flow diagrams, at the end of the workshop, and decide whether they might want to pursue (some of) the puzzles further.

Schedule
09:35 Introduction
09:35 – 09:45 Brief overview of the puzzles (up to 3) and split into groups
09:45 – 10:00 More detailed description of the puzzles in the groups
10:00 – 10:45 Discussion in the groups, brief break
10:45 – 11:00 Presentation of results

Institutional modelling is a branch of agent-based modelling that pays special attention to social structure by incorporating institutions, ie., the formal and informal rules that shape and regulate individual behaviour and interaction. One of the approaches to institutional modelling uses the Institutional Grammar (IG) which is used for collecting institutional data for modelling purposes, coding institutions, and integrating them into different parts of an agent-based model. The goal of this session is to introduce the IG and explain how it can be used for Institutional Modelling. Besides giving an introduction, we work through an example model of a Common pool resource setting where institutions emerge from the simulation. This Netlogo model will be shared among the audience to explore the model, extend and adapt it to get a better grasp of the opportunities associated with Institutional Modelling.

Schedule
11:15 –11:30 – Welcome + introduction to Institutional Grammar
11:30 -11:55 – Explaining the model
11:55 – 12:00 – small break and downloading the model
12:00 – 12: 20 – Individuals play with models
12:20 – 12:45 – Discussion, what Institutional Grammar can bring etc

This workshop is organized by the Special Interest Group on Education. The main focus is to discuss with both the members and other interested participants about the role of social simulation in education. How to acknowledge what exists and strengthen it.

– How to get an early start? What can be developed/made available for primary and secondary schools? Can/should we connect this to programming education and, more generally, curricula development?

– How to get an early start? What can be developed/made available for primary and secondary schools? Can/should we connect this to programming education and, more generally, curricula development?

– How to acknowledge social simulation education? On endorsement of social simulation courses/education by ESSA.

– How to educate a broader audience by bringing social complexity in the frame of mind of the public/decision/policymakers? What are models that we share as a community (being approachable as well as inspirational)? What are key lessons that we can share

We’ll shortly introduce the topics and have breakout sessions to collect ideas you may have, discuss them, identify. trade-offs between different approaches and develop an agenda with next steps. So please be invited to join, and simmer beforehand on some ideas you have.

Schedule
13:30 – 13:45 Introduction to the topics
13:45 – 14:10 Breakout: Round 1 – collecting
14:10 – 14:20 Reporting back
14:20 – 14:45 Breakout: Round 2 – structuring and next steps
14:45 – 15:00 Wrap up