- [] /
- 16 Aug 2021
- Agent-Based Modeling Origins of Life Data Science
Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology
SFI Press is delighted to announce the launch of their newest book—and first textbook—Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology: Simulating the Complexity of Societies.
To fully understand not only the past, but also the trajectories, of human societies, we need a more dynamic view of human social systems. Agent-based modeling (ABM), which can create fine-scale models of behavior over time and space, may reveal important, general patterns of human activity. Agent-Based Modeling for Archaeology is the first ABM textbook designed for researchers studying the human past. Appropriate for scholars from archaeology, the digital humanities, and other social sciences, this book offers novices and more experienced ABM researchers a modular approach to learning ABM and using it effectively.Readers will find the necessary background, discussion of modeling techniques and traps, references, and algorithms to use ABM in their own work. They will also find engaging examples of how other scholars have applied ABM, ranging from the study of the intercontinental migration pathways of early hominins, to the weather–crop–population cycles of the American Southwest, to the trade networks of Ancient Rome. This textbook provides the foundations needed to simulate the complexity of past human societies, offering researchers a richer understanding of the past—and likely future—of our species.
This textbook is available in paperback from Amazon for $10.99, and as a free PDF download.
Purchase or download here >
Registration is now open for the Open Science Tutorial
This tutorial provides an introduction to Open Science. Open Science refers to a set of practices which can be used to make science more open, reproducible, transparent, and inclusive. Students will get an overview of the different principles and practices that can be found under the umbrella term of Open Science. These practices apply to the entire research cycle: from preregistration, to publishing (including preprints and open access), and including materials, data, and code sharing.
The tutorial will open in September.
Register now >
Origins of Life
Course begins: October 4th, 2021
Course ends: December 13th, 2021This course aims to push the field of Origins of Life research forward by bringing new and synthetic thinking to the question of how life emerged from an abiotic world.
This course begins by examining the chemical, geological, physical, and biological principles that give us insight into origins of life research. We look at the chemical and geological environment of early Earth from the perspective of likely environments for life to originate.
Taking a look at modern life, we ask what it can tell us about the origin of life by winding the clock backwards. We explore what elements of modern life are absolutely essential for life, and ask what is arbitrary? We ponder how life arose from the huge chemical space and what this early 'living chemistry' may have looked like.
Pre-registration for our updated iteration of Origins of Life is now open.
Register now >
Photos by FLY:D Art Photographer on Unsplash
