The ESSA Summer School 2026 will take place from Monday 17 to Friday 21 August 2026 at the James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen. This is part of the European Social Simulation Association’s life-long learning strategy. Led by Dr. Gary Polhill, with over twenty-five years experience, this one-week intensive course offers an introduction to agent-based modelling (ABM), connecting theories of complex systems with practical model design, programming, and experimentation in NetLogo. The two guest lecturers are: Professor Alison Heppenstall (University of Glasgow) and Dr. Sara Wise (University College London).

Participants will learn how agent-based models can represent heterogeneous actors, dynamic environments, and emergent socio-ecological patterns. The course combines conceptual theory, coding exercises, and group projects to help participants understand the purpose, design, and implementation of ABMs for socio-environmental systems.

Key themes include:

• Complex systems thinking and agent-based theory
• Translating conceptual systems into computational models
• Programming ABMs in NetLogo and developing clear model structures
• Setting up experiments, analysing results, and communicating model findings
• The summer school is designed for PhD students, researchers, and practitioners interested in modelling socio-ecological systems, environmental policy, behavioural dynamics, and other complex adaptive systems.

The summer school is designed for PhD students, researchers, and practitioners interested in modelling socio-ecological systems, environmental policy, behavioural dynamics, and other complex adaptive systems.

For more information about the application, fees and practical information about this course, visit their website.