IRMACS Modelling Consortium

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Check out upcoming and past colloquiums.

The IRMACS Modelling Consortium (IMC) is an association of research groups working in the field of complex systems modelling. Consortium members share mutual intellectual challenges and objectives. The Consortium reflects the fact that the IRMACS Centre is acting as a nucleus for complex social system modelling at SFU.

The IMC connects researchers with diverse academic backgrounds, experts and practitioners from the public sector and industry, and utilizes the mathematical and computational resources of the IRMACS Centre. The goal is to construct mathematical models for complex real-world problems with a particular emphasis on criminology, health science, and urban dynamics. There are two ultimate objectives of the IMC. Firstly, the research conducted by the members of the Consortium serves as a scientific foundation for evidence-based policy-making at various government and non-government levels. Secondly, the IMC, through versatile training and early-career involvement in research, develops a new generation of researchers who understand and address problems related to the complex dynamics of social systems through computational and mathematical modelling.

The IRMACS Centre offers professional administrative support for research projects within the IRMACS Centre including member groups of the IRMACS Modelling Consortium. Association within the Consortium enables its research groups to be more efficient and effective and simplifies common organizational needs, for example the coordination of joint courses, conferences, workshops, and colloquia. The IMC may also initiate and coordinate applications and proposals for grants and projects. Sharing of financial and human resources simplifies research management and allows for activity coordination and the provision of much needed administrative support for the constitute parts.

The IRMACS Modelling Consortium (IMC) evolved from two interconnected research groups: the Complex System Modelling Group (CSMG) and the Modelling of Complex Social Systems (MoCSSy) Program. Together these two IRMACS “homegrown” research groups provide a unique research capability. CSMG and MoCSSy have common concentrations of researchers with similar skill sets and scientific interests but often approach the problem of modelling complex social systems from different points of view with different goals. The IMC welcomes already existing modelling groups and supports new initiatives.

Consistent with the larger goals of the IRMACS Centre to initiate, support, and lead interdisciplinary research at SFU, the IMC is a major vehicle to promote interdisciplinarity as a catalyst for the successful development of disciplines that rely on both analytic and synthetic abilities across the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. A major function of the Consortium is to significantly contribute to the accomplishment of the following objectives stated in “SFU Academic Vision, Outcomes and VPA Goals for 2013”:

  • Seek for opportunities for interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary teaching and research;
  • Support opportunities for new and interdisciplinary program development;
  • Establish support mechanisms/structures to promote interdisciplinarity in teaching and research.

In Fall 2009, the IRMACS Modelling Consortium launched the IMC Colloquium Series. The bi-weekly series includes a line-up of speakers, researchers and experts in mathematics, computing science, statistics, criminology, economics, anthropology, health care and medicine, sociology, and public policy, among others. For the complete list of past and future presentations click here. If you are interested in joining the IMC or would like more information, please contact the IRMACS Research Director, Dr. Veselin Jungic at vjungic@irmacs.sfu.ca.