Human Simulation Group

Human simulation is the application of techniques from computational simulation and data science to achieve two complementary goals. The theoretical goal is to enhance research in the humanities and human-science domains with reference to the nexus of human minds, human cultures, and physical environments. The practical goal is to solve urgent social and public-health problems using data-driven decision-support tools and artificial environments for policy exploration.

Focus areas

Project Overview

Objective: The Human Simulation Group seeks to apply computational simulation techniques to enhance research in the humanities and human sciences, focusing on the interplay between human minds, cultures, and physical environments. Their practical goal is to develop data-driven decision-support tools and artificial environments to tackle urgent social and public health issues.

Background: The group is an international collective of scholars and researchers from various organizations, including philosophers, ethicists, historians, social scientists, public health experts, policy professionals, legal scholars, computer engineers, and strategic communications specialists. This multidisciplinary approach enables them to address complex problems from multiple perspectives.

Key Research Questions:

How can computational simulations enhance our understanding of the nexus between human minds, cultures, and environments?
What data-driven tools can be developed to address pressing social and public health challenges?

Methodology

Approach: By combining data science with computational simulation, the group tackles complex human social problems. This involves creating models that incorporate human factors such as social networks, individual vulnerabilities, and compliance behaviors to evaluate intervention strategies.

Tools & Techniques: The group utilizes open-source platforms like AnyLogic for model and simulation development. Their models are designed to be highly configurable, allowing for adaptation to specific contexts and the incorporation of updated data.

Collaborations: The Human Simulation Group collaborates with various institutions, including the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center (VMASC), and the Center for Modeling Social Systems at NORCE.

Impact

The Artificial University (TAU): A decision-support tool designed to help universities evaluate intervention plans during the COVID-19 pandemic. TAU facilitates the assessment of various strategies using multiple metrics, providing insights to inform policy decisions.

Modeling Religion Project (MRP): This project employs advanced simulation techniques to explore how religious beliefs and behaviors influence the world. It aims to demonstrate the utility of computer simulations in the scientific study of religion and tackle empirical problems related to religion, culture, and human cognition.

Modeling Religion in Norway (MODRN): A project that uses computer simulation to study religious and social change, particularly conflict, in a Scandinavian context. Leveraging detailed longitudinal data from Norway, the project provides empirical insights into societal changes.

Meet the team

Justin Lane in front of a white background — Saikou Diallo

Dr. Saikou Diallo: A research associate professor specializing in modeling and simulation, contributing technical expertise to the group’s projects.

Dr. Justin E. Lane: A cognitive and evolutionary anthropologist focusing on the study of religion, contributing to the development of simulation models.

Dr. F. LeRon Shults: A philosopher and theologian focusing on the intersection of religion and science, playing a key role in the Modeling Religion Project.

Dr. Wesley J. Wildman: A philosopher and theologian with expertise in the scientific study of religion, contributing to the group’s interdisciplinary research approaches.

Latest Updates

Saikou Y. Diallo, Wesley J. Wildman, F. LeRon Shults, and Andreas Tolk, Human Simulation: Perspectives, Insights, and Applications

Conclusion

The Human Simulation Group exemplifies the power of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing complex social challenges. By leveraging computational simulations and data science, they provide innovative solutions and deepen our understanding of the intricate interplay between human minds, cultures, and environments.

To learn more about their groundbreaking work and explore their projects in detail, visit the Human Simulation website.

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Wildman

CMAC’s approach is innovative, it’s risky and ultimately it might not work. But this approach does promise breakthrough change, allowing us to test before we invest in new interventions. We use these techniques routinely when we design cars, bridges and factories. And speaking for myself, a change skeptic, I finally feel I’m telling myself the truth about real-world change. I’ll keep up the rhythm of small-change activities. And I’ll make a very precise, limited and deliberate move on the big-change stage through CMAC.

Wesley Wildman
Executive Director

Teehan

After two (intense) days with the people at CMAC, going through the process of translating my hypothesis about religion and empathy into the language of computer modeling, it all began to make sense … Because of this method, we will actually be able to bring some data into a debate that would otherwise remain largely in speculation … It forced me to formulate my ideas in such precise and concrete terms (so they could be coded for) that I came away with a better understanding of my own theory.

John Teehan, Ph.D.
Hofstra University

Bacon

CMAC is a great environment when you are in a transitional stage of your early career and deciding what type of career path to pursue. There is such a wide variety of projects going on at one time, and even if you are assigned to primarily work on just one, there is frequently the opportunity to contribute to multiple projects. And in doing so, you get to use your skillset in areas outside your area of expertise, and also expand your skillset within your main area with an interdisciplinary team.

Rachel Bacon
Postdoctoral Fellow

Gore

Each member of the team was capable of synthesizing that multi-disciplinary knowledge into a single response to a complex problem statement. The realization was humbling and reshaped my view of what interdisciplinary work can be and how I pursue it.

Ross Gore, Ph.D.
Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center