Modelling and Simulation for Social Systems

Research Initiative whose members are involved in Simulation and Modelling and Simulation Gaming for policy and decision making
Girl wearing VR headset

Abstracting the world in the form of models and mimicking its behaviour using simulation allows people to better understand the impacts of policy and decision making within a complex and interconnected world. Simulation models of managed systems can be used for forensic analysis, diagnostics, prediction, and learning and insight generation. 

Modelling and Simulation for Social Systems (M&S3) is a Research Initiative whose members are involved in Simulation and Modelling and Simulation Gaming for policy and decision making.

M&S3 Research Initiative co-lead – Dr Jonathan Moizer

Dr Jonathan Moizer is an Associate Professor in Business Operations and Strategy. His research and consulting interests include the use of computerised simulation for both policy analysis, decision making and learning. He has particular interest in the use of system dynamics modelling as a simulation approach.
Jonathan Moizer

M&S3 Research Initiative co-lead – Dr Jonathan Lean

Dr Jonathan Lean is Associate Professor of Strategic Management at Plymouth Business School. His research interests include: simulations and games; management learning; enterprise education; entrepreneurial learning and development. He is Associate Editor for the International Journal of Management Education and an Honorary Fellow of Enterprise Educators UK.
Dr Jonathan Lean

Initiative aims and objectives

The aim of M&S3 is to understand how management policies are designed and decisions taken.
Our objectives are to:
  • carry out applied and theoretical research in the fields of simulation modelling, games and gamification
  • increase the levels of awareness of good modelling practice within public, third sector and industry settings
  • influence how current (executives and managers) and future (students) problem owners frame thinking around management policy development and decision making.
Our diverse group prepares students for the world of policy and management decision making, consults and advises business and public bodies, and collaborates with co-researchers both nationally and internationally. We would welcome contact from individuals and organisations seeking consultancy support and advice, or collaboration on research challenges. We would also encourage enquiries from prospective doctoral students.

M&S3 comprises two emerging themes:

1) Simulation and Modelling for Policy Evaluation and Decision Analysis, where models are built to test alternative assumptions about the world and their robustness. Applications can include problem domains where the outcomes of different interventions merit explanation.
The modelling approaches include, inter alia, system dynamics, agent based modelling, discrete event simulation, socioeconomic, econometrics, stochastic frontier analysis, and data envelopment analysis. Modelling applications would include, among other things, financial, economic, demographic, social and economic policy evaluation, and supply chain management.
2) Simulation Gaming and Gamification for Learning and Insight, where simulation games or gaming principles are used to help people learn about policy development and/or decision making within social systems. This strand of research is pedagogic (students) and andragogic (executives and managers) and seeks to measure levels of generative learning that immersive simulations can bring about.
The gaming approaches include, inter alia, system dynamics flight simulators, agent based modelling, spreadsheet based models, and massively multiplayer online role-playing games. Modelling applications include, among other things, economics, strategic awareness, entrepreneurship, soft skills development, and auction and latecomer strategy.

M&S3 members

M&S3 news and events

Beyond the Beach: Uncovering the Global Sand Crisis

As part of the ESRC Festival of Social Science week , Dr Minchul Sohn (Plymouth Business School) recently organised the “Beyond the Beach: Uncovering the Global Sand Crisis” event on the University of Plymouth campus to raise awareness about the global sand crisis and foster a network of concerned individuals and stakeholders.
The event started with a poster exhibition that delved into the critical issue of sand scarcity, the environmental impact of sand mining, and the vital role sand plays in our world. The exhibition was open to the public, with project team members on hand to guide visitors through the displays, answer questions, and showcase various sand materials. This was followed by a hybrid webinar that brought together Plymouth & online attendees.
Presentations were made first by Plymouth staff - Dr Minchul Sohn, Dr Jonathan Moizer (Plymouth Business School), & Dr Boksun Kim (School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics).The final presentation was delivered remotely from Geneva by Professor Pascal Peduzzi (UNEP – United Nations Environment Programme).
Drs Kim, Sohn, and Moizer are members of the Global Sand Observatory , working with partners in the seven countries. Dr Kim is a key contact for the observatory.
Presenters & participants at the beyond the beach sand event
Presenters & participants at the sand event
 

Plymouth staff involved in the Saving Sand to Save the Planet

Dr Boksun Kim (UoP School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics) working with Professor Sheila Puffer (D'Amore-McKim School of Business, Northeastern University, Boston) secured funding from the Academy of Medical Sciences.
The saving sand to save the planet conference sought to establish a transdisciplinary consortium bringing together researchers in multiple disciplines (engineering, materials science, business and public policy), practitioners (senior executives, owners, real estate developers, engineers, architects, project managers, sustainability managers, suppliers), NGOs (certifying bodies, sustainability consultants, industry associations) and policymakers (regulators, standards boards, incentive designers) to devise solutions to the challenges and embrace opportunities involved in addressing the global sand crisis from the perspective of the international construction industry.
At the conference the current status of the use of sand in key countries was discussed, as well as the challenges & potential solutions for the global sand crisis, focusing on the construction industry. Also, the groundwork was set for creating a multi-country transdisciplinary consortium.
The presenters included Dr Boksun Kim who spoke about the UK sand extraction industry, and Dr Minchul Sohn & Dr Jonathan Moizer (Plymouth Business School) who provided insights into stakeholder relationships across the Global Sand industry.
Conference delegates from seven countries at the saving sand to save the planet conference
Conference delegates from seven countries
 

University of Plymouth staff participate in United Nations roundtable event

As part of the Academy of Medical Sciences funded project on saving sand to save the planet , Dr Boksun Kim, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics was joined by Drs Minchul Sohn and Jonathan Moizer (Plymouth Business School) as participants in the 2024 Experts Roundtable on Sand & Sustainability at the United National Environmental Programme (UNEP) HQ in Geneva, Switzerland.
Some 30 experts drawn from government, non-government, industry and academia collectively generated insights and understandings on the theme of 'Biodiversity Impact & Sand as a Critical Material' which will dovetail into a published UNEP report. We thank the academy for funding our trip to Geneva.
From left to right, Dr Adel Zadeh, Dr Minchul Sohn, Dr Boksun Kim, Professor Sheila Puffer, and Dr Jonathan Moizer
From left to right: Dr Adel Zadeh (Northeastern University - Montreal), Dr Minchul Sohn (PBS), Dr Boksun Kim (ECM), Professor Sheila Puffer (Northeastern University, Boston) & Dr Jonathan Moizer (PBS)
 

e-cargo bike capabilities showcased at Plymouth Social Science Festival

In a bold move for sustainable city logistics, Dr’s Minchul Sohn, Jonathan Moizer, and Jon Lean recently partnered with Zedify and Bikespace to spotlight e-cargo bikes at the 2023 ESRC Festival of Social Science. This dynamic event, building on a public engagement grant given by the Explore Awards , showcased the untapped potential of e-cargo bikes in transforming city logistics.
The day offered a hands-on experience, with participants test-riding heavy-load e-cargo bikes at the Zedify logistics base. This practical engagement highlighted the ease of electric assist and the importance of safety training in urban settings.
Amidst lively discussions, the public connected e-cargo bikes to broader themes like urban planning and eco-friendly transport. Despite concerns over charging infrastructure and energy costs, the event underscored the efficiency of electrification in first-/last-mile city logistics.
An interactive survey at the event revealed a strong community interest in enhancing Plymouth’s sustainable transport system. E-cargo bikes emerged as a promising solution to reduce environmental impact and improve urban dwellers’ quality of life.
Despite the tricky weather, the event was a vibrant platform for sharing ideas and fostering awareness about e-cargo bikes, signalling a future where sustainable city logistics are embraced and advanced.
Zedify e-cargo bike being tested at the ESRC Festival of Science
 

Doctorate award for machine learning research

Dr Nancy Deraz

Dr Nancy Deraz was recently awarded her doctorate from the University of Plymouth for machine learning in supply chain management research based on her thesis entitled: ‘Economic order quantity predictive model using supervised machine learning for inventory management of the fast-moving consumer goods distributors.’
Working with several fast moving consumer goods (FMCGs) distributors, Nancy was able to build a machine learning predictive model to predict the weekly economic order quantities for these FMCGs distributors to optimise their results through analysing the sequential prediction of some inputs to the model. Her machine learning predictive model can assist distributors in taking decisions to improve their inventory performance.
Dr Nancy Deraz
 

Innovation ecosystems and systems mapping of regional economic development

Dr Dan Arthur, International Policy Dynamics Ltd recently presented his research on using systems mapping approaches to generate insights into how regional innovation systems operate in a symbiotic way between industry, government & higher education. Dan was able to provide understanding of how causal feedback structures can be used to identify leverage points where policy interventions can be made to create the necessary synergies between these 3 innovation stakeholders groups.
Dr Dan Arthur presenting research at the University. He stands in front of a screen displaying a title slide. 
Dr Dan Arthur

Previous news and events

2019–2022
Postgraduate wins best poster award for gamification poster
3–4 June 2021
Ali Sen, a PhD candidate in Plymouth Business School and member of M&S3, has won the best poster presentation during the University Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business of Plymouth Doctoral Conference. The conference was themed 'Research that Impacts Lives, Business and Societies’ and held virtually. Ali’s poster presented his work around a motivational model of gamification for e-learning.
Doctorate awarded for supply chain modelling
2021
Dr Jindu Chizea was recently awarded his doctorate for his supply chain modelling research based on his thesis entitled: ‘Downstream Automotive Supply Chain Simulation: A System Dynamics Approach to Improve Performance’. Working with several Nigerian automotive dealerships, Jindu was able to use system dynamics simulation to model a number of alternative decision rules to suggest policies that could be applied to dampen down recurrent supply chain oscillations. Jindu was supervised by Dr Jonathan Moizer, Dr Yi Wang and Chukwuneke Okorie.
Plymouth academics help organise Online Systems Dynamics Conference
2019
Plans were to hold the conference over two days at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow in early April; but due to the COVID-19 pandemic the conference was pared back and switched to a one-day online event. Chapter members benefitted from interactive system dynamics instruction in the morning on contemporary Susceptible-Infected-Recovered pandemic modelling, viewing online posters presented by student members in between guest speaker presentations during the afternoon illustrating various system dynamics modelling applications.
M&S3 welcomes Professor Graham Winch as a new member
2019
Graham is presently Professor Emeritus with the Plymouth Business School. Always interested in the research and publishing processes, he founded the journal Dynamica and served as Executive Editor of System Dynamics Review, and has assessed proposals and evaluated project outcomes for both UK and Irish university research funding bodies. Graham has a long history of supporting early career researchers and doctoral students and is keen to advise on getting research going and overcoming research challenges.

2018
Meeting in Vilnius to kick-off new Erasmus+ project
2018
M&S3 lead, Jonathan Moizer, attended the ‘kick-off’ meeting of the EU funded YouACE project in Vilnius, Lithuania. This project seeks to equip young people from disadvantaged groups across Europe with the skills necessary to become active citizens and work in entrepreneurship. Jonathan and Faculty of Business colleagues Jonathan Lean, David Carter and Shaofeng Liu secured €43,450 for their work within the project.
System Dynamics and Healthcare Network Event
13 March 2018
The University of Plymouth hosted a a System Dynamics and Healthcare Network Event for the purposes of healthcare planning and modelling. Find out more about the event.
Plymouth academics organise National Systems Dynamics Conference
2018
Dr Jonathan Moizer and David Carter, from the Faculty of Business, as members of the policy council for the UK Chapter of the System Dynamics Society, helped organise the Chapter’s annual conference recently in Cardiff University. System dynamics modelling is a growing area of social research within the Faculty.
European delegation visit Plymouth
26 May 2018
A delegation from Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Poland visited Plymouth as part of a project aimed at inspiring young people into work. The group attended a summit meeting with local social entrepreneurs, which looked into how young people who are not in education or work can be supported to volunteer or create their own businesses. The meeting was the latest event in the €200,000 project Innovating Youth Work to Foster Youth Active Citizenship. The University of Plymouth is leading the UK part of the Europe-wide project, which is being paid for by Erasmus+.
Presentation by Milo Hendriks
29 May 2018
Milo Hendriks is the Director of Edumundo UK, a provider of online simulations used worldwide to teach students about a variety of topics: marketing, strategy, international business, finance and accounting, operations management and human resources, amongst others. In his talk to academics, he explained the various online based game-like simulations available for using games and implementing gamification in the classroom. He also presented other educational tools, such as the Edubook, that can be used to enhance teaching and learning.
HKU Space-University of Plymouth deliver a world class performance
2018
GLO-BUS is a strategy simulation game where groups of students compete head to head over time as companies that develop, distribute and sell wearable cameras and camera drones. HKU Space students studying for the University of Plymouth BSc (Hons) Business Management module on Strategic Management: Theory and Practice participated in this exercise and were able to outperform 335 teams from 32 colleges/universities participating in the game worldwide, coming joint 1st in performance.
Postgraduate in national research paper contest
2018
Nasser Al Hamar Al Kathiri, a PhD candidate in Plymouth Business School and university teacher in Oman, has won second prize in a research competition in the country for his paper Estimating Localisation-Performance Reciprocal Relationship in the Aviation Sector, the Sultanate of Oman.
Plymouth academics present at International Systems Dynamics Conference
6–10 August 2018
Dr David Carter with support from Jonathan Moizer recently presented a research poster entitled ‘Direct Action or Social Nudge?​ Effective policy levers helping families select schools​’ at the 36th International Conference of the System Dynamics Society in Reykjavik, Iceland. David’s poster was based on his PhD study and was warmly received by conference delegates, particularly those working in the fields of education and social policy.
Supply chain research recognised
2018
Plymouth Business School Lecturer in International Supply Chain Management, Dr Haiyan Lu, has recently won the James Cooper Memorial Cup for 2018, awarded by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport for best doctorate. The cup is awarded annually for PhD research that makes an original contribution to the field of logistics and distribution. Haiyan received the cup for her thesis: Investigation of sustainable supply chains implementation: A social network perspective.
M&S3 Researchers exhibit research at Plymouth Festival of Social Science
6 November 2018
Dr’s Yi Wang, David Carter, Sachin Kumar and Jonathan Moizer presented posters on their recent research at the University of Plymouth Social Science event.
Representing Plymouth in Greece on young people and entrepreneurship
2018
Gareth Hart, Research Fellow at Plymouth Business School (PBS), took part in an EU-funded conference in Larissa, Greece on young people and social entrepreneurship last week. Gareth presented findings from EU research into young people’s attitudes to starting a business and active citizenship. Key findings include that whilst having low levels of awareness of social enterprise, young people are inspired by the idea once it is explained to them.
European survey reveals needs of young people around starting businesses
2018
The University of Plymouth has published research with European partners from Greece, Italy, Lithuania and Poland which shows that young people need help spotting opportunities and mobilizing resources if they are to start successful businesses.
Project sees students visit Italy to help develop innovative youth training programme.
2018
Dr Jonathan Moizer recently attended the final transnational partner meeting for the Erasmus+ funded YouACE Project in Rome to organise the final activities on the project. Partners from Italy, Greece, Poland, Lithuania and the UK were present.
Plymouth Social Enterprise Network Discussion
2018
Dr Jonathan Moizer was recently invited to talk to Plymouth Social Enterprise Network about the outcomes of the Erasmus+ YouACE project, in particular the training curriculum used to support young people into social entrepreneurial careers.

2017
Academics discuss new gamification app developed for teaching and research
22 June 2017
Professor Mauro Figueiredo showcased new ERASMUS funded MILAGE LEARN+ App at iSPER MS3 event. Read the full article.
Modelling and Simulation for Social Science inaugural event
11 July 2017
Presentations covered a broad range of including the importance of gamification, the impact of gamification on entrepreneurship education, macroeconomic modelling and education policy. Find out more about the event and the topics discussed.
Academics from Cardiff University deliver Structural Equation Modelling training at Plymouth
7–8 September 2017
Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) is a popular research methodology and features in many peer reviewed academic journals. A 'hands on' two day introductory course on using SEM using AMOS software was delivered to 25 University Faculty of Business academics and postgraduate research students by Cardiff University academics. Participants learnt how to (i) specify and test their constructs (i.e. measurement scales) and (ii) integrate latent variables into a (quasi) causal framework to test the hypothesised associative relationships between constructs.
M&S3 at the Games and Simulation enhanced Learning (GSeL) Conference
3 November 2017
The Plymouth GSeL Conference was held on 3 November 2017. Nearly 100 delegates, mostly from across UK universities, attended. Thought provoking presentations were delivered at the plenary and parallel sessions on how games can support the achievement of transformative education.
M&S3 members receive intermediate structural equation modelling training
15 December 2017
M&S3 invited Cardiff University's Professor Paul Bottomley, Dr Rob Angell and Dr Mark Toon, down to Plymouth to deliver a second module – this time on structural equation modelling at an intermediate level. Participants learnt how to design models that most quality (3*/4*) journals are now asking authors for. Topics covered included: (i) multi-group analysis (moderation with a categorical variable), (ii) latent interaction effects (moderation with a continuous latent variable), and (iii) simple mediation.
Using System Dynamics for Education and Pedagogy
2017
Mike Kennedy, Visiting Professor, University of Bologna presented his research on the use of System Dynamics modelling in Education Policy and Pedagogy to an audience of Plymouth academics and postgraduate research students. Mike was able to advise specific audience members on how to incorporate System Dynamics into their own pedagogic research.