Agent-Based Modelling

This course forms part of the Master's programme in Computational Social and Political Sciences, equipping students with the necessary expertise in agent-based modelling and computer simulation approaches for understanding social and political dynamics. The course includes a focus on theory and hypotheses finalised for the design of formal computational models that encapsulate causal mechanisms. The key concepts related to modelling purposes are understanding, explanation, prediction and decision-making support. Students will learn how to design, implement, run, test, analyse and communicate agent-based models, paying particular attention to different audiences, including policymakers and stakeholders. The course will use only open-source and open-science software, tools, and workflows to ensure autonomy, adaptability, and long-term capabilities.

Through applications to real-world datasets and problems, practical simulation design exercises and familiarity with different statistical techniques for model testing, the course will equip students with the epistemological and methodological foundations necessary to conduct independent agent-based empirical research.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- design an agent-based model to study emergent socio-political dynamics;
- analyse simulation output using appropriate statistical models;
- incorporate agent-based models in complex, multi-methodological projects;
- communicate their research findings to a variety of audiences.