Modelling Migration: Decisions, Processes and Outcomes

Bijak, Jakub and Higham, Philip and Hilton, Jason D. and Hinsch, Martin and Nurse, Sarah and Prike, Toby and Reinhardt, Oliver and Smith, Peter WF and Uhrmacher, Adelinde M. (2020) Modelling Migration: Decisions, Processes and Outcomes. In: Winter Simulation Conference (WSC 2020), 13-16 Dec 2020, Orlando, Florida, USA. Proceedings, published by IEEE Computer Society, pp. 2613-2624.

Full text not available from this repository.
Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1109/WSC48552.2020.9384072

Abstract

Human migration is uncertain and complex, and some of its distinct features, such as migration routes, can emerge and change very rapidly. Agency of various actors is one key reason for why migration eludes attempts at its theoretical description, explanation and prediction. To address the complexity challenges through simulation models, which would coherently link micro-level decisions with macro-level processes, a coherent model design and construction process is needed. Here, we present such a process alongside its five building blocks: an agent based simulation of migration route formation, resembling the recent asylum migration to Europe; an evaluation framework for migration data; psychological experiments eliciting decisions under uncertainty; the choice of a programming language and modelling formalisms; and statistical analysis with Bayesian meta-modelling based on Gaussian Process assumptions and experimental design principles. This process allows to identify knowledge advancements that can be achieved through modelling, and to elucidate the remaining knowledge gaps.

Item Type: Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Projects: BAPS