ESSA Summer School 2026 Agent-Based Modelling

The European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) Summer School 2026 is a prestigious, intensive five-day academic event hosted at the renowned Craigiebuckler campus of The James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen. This year’s program is dedicated to "Introduction to Agent-Based Modelling" (ABM), a critical computational method used to simulate the actions and interactions of autonomous agents to assess their effects on the system as a whole.

As an interdisciplinary hub, The James Hutton Institute provides the perfect backdrop for this seminar. The course is designed to bridge the gap between social science theory and computational execution. Participants will dive deep into the complexities of social-ecological systems, learning how to build, calibrate, and validate models that address real-world challenges such as land use change, climate adaptation, and resource management.

The curriculum balances rigorous theoretical lectures with hands-on laboratory sessions. Attendees will work closely with world-leading scientists from the Hutton’s Information and Computational Sciences department, gaining practical experience in software platforms like NetLogo. Beyond the technical training, the Summer School emphasizes the "Hutton approach"—integrating natural and social sciences to drive sustainable innovation.

Set within the granite city of Aberdeen, the event also offers unique networking opportunities. Participants will engage in "poster flash" sessions to present their own research, receiving direct feedback from peers and senior experts. Whether you are looking to refine your coding skills or understand the philosophical underpinnings of social simulation, this event serves as the definitive gateway to the world of agent-based modeling in 2026.