28 August-1 September 2023, James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK
For my doctorate at the Chair of Sociology of Technology and Innovation, Social Simulations, I took part in the Summer School of the European Social Simulation Association in August 2023. During this time, I was able to acquire theoretical and practical knowledge in the context of agent-based social simulations using Netlogo.
During the summer school, I mainly learned about modelling complex social systems. This included not only technical lectures, but also several days of group work, which was presented at the end of the Summer School. We jointly modelled complex systems in several steps, such as participatory system modelling, causal loop diagrams and the definition of decisive and reactive agents through to programming the system in NetLogo. I not only learnt the methodological and technical aspects, but also how to work together intercultural, international and, above all, interdisciplinary.
The Summer School was rounded off by daily guest speakers who presented application examples and best practices from their personal research projects. These sessions were particularly interesting as they showed the application in everyday life and, above all, the diversity of potential areas of application.
Looking back, I can say that my expectations of the Summer School were clearly exceeded, as I not only made progress in terms of methodology and subject matter, but was also able to make new contacts with other doctoral students.
David Wurster 