Leeds One Day Workshop - Future Research Directions in Agent Based Modelling

• Organisers Rob Allan (STFC), Paul Richmond (University of Sheffield), Chris Greenough (STFC)
• Venue SR1.16, House No. 11-14, Blenheim Terrace, Leeds LS2 9HX
• Date Tuesday, 15^th June 2010
• Time 9.30am - 4pm

During this one day workshop we explored the state of the art in agent based modelling and simulation from both the computational science aspects and its applications. We identified issues with current methodologies and implementations and consider future directions appropriate to tackle research into complex dynamical systems using agent based modelling on high performance computers.

A short background paper (PDF) was circulated before the meeting to stimulate discussion on the issues for agent-based modelling in the UK and the potential impact of an EPSRC funded CCP in agent-based modelling.

Presentations

• Chris Greenough - welcome and introduction to the day [background paper (PDF)]
• Peter McBurney - the challenges to computer scientists arising from ABMS [slides (PDF)]
• Richard Sibly - agent based modelling techniques and validation [slides (PPT)]
• Michael Luck - issues and challenges in agent based modelling [slides (PDF)]
• Mike Holcombe - X-Machines in FLAME and applications in systems biology [slides (PPTX)]
• Andrew Crooks - geo-spatial modelling/ crowd modelling [slides (5MB PDF)]
• Alex Voss - issues with multi-threaded parallelisation and application of Repast Simphony to modelling the population of Taiwan [slides (PPT)]
• Salem Adra - Automated Discovery of Emergent Mis-behavior in Agent Based Models [slides (PPT), video (WMV)]
• Paul Richmond - applications on GPUs and modelling of crowd behaviour [slides (PPT)]
• Mariam Kiran - EURACE, economic modelling [slides (PPT)]
• Anders Johannson - GENESIS, pedestrian modelling and tracking [slides (PPT)]
• Andy Turner - large scale social simulation in Java and the NeISS project [slides (PPT)]
• Chris Greenough - where do we go from here? [background paper (PDF)]

Discussion Session (Chaired: Chris Greenough)

Topics:

• Issues of applications to large and complex systems
• Performance of ABMS - parallelisation technology
• Verification and validation of models
• Statistical inference for agent-based models
• Representation and standards for model exchange
• Future application areas
• Consideration of a Collaborative Computational Project in ABMS

Action plan and Drafting Group (Chaired: Chris Greenough)

Minutes of the meeting are available in the background paper.