Dr Nick Gotts

Nick trained in psychology and artificial intelligence. Until 1996, his research was mainly concerned with qualitative spatial representation and reasoning in humans, other animals, and computers. Since then he has concentrated on complex systems dynamics, particularly on agent-based social simulation, but also on cellular automata. He is particularly interested in the origins of complexity, in the distinctive features of complex adaptive systems which include agents capable of modelling and criticising the systems to which they belong (i.e., human beings), and in systematic approaches to comparing, validating and combining agent-based models using formal ontologies and related formalisms.

Research Interests

Complex systems dynamics, particularly on agent-based social simulation, but also on cellular automata.

Nick's most recent publications

• Size matters: large-scale replications of experiments with FEARLUS., Gotts, N.M.; Polhill, J.G., (In press) Advances in Complex Systems, Special issue of revised papers from ESSA 2009.

• The ODDness of modelling: early experiences from a transdisciplinary modelling exercise., Polhill, J.G.; Galan-Diaz, C.; Gotts, N.M.; Craig, T.; Marshall, K.; Sutehrland, L-A.; Kriel, A.; Fischer, A., (In press) Third World Congress on Social Simulation (WCSS 2010), University of Kassel, Germany, 6th-9th September 2010.

• Adaptive control of landscape biodiversity., Polhill, J.G.; Jarvis, A.; Gimona, A.; Gotts, N.M., (In press) Modelling for Environmnet's Sake, International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 5th-8th July, 2010.

• Emergent complexity in Conway's Game of Life., Gotts, N.M., (2010) Conway's Game of Life Cellular Automaton (ed. Andrew Adamatzky). Springer, pp389-436. ISBN: 978-1-84996-216-2.

• Scaling - Field, farm, landscape and nation., Matthews, K.B.; Miller, D.; Brown, I.; Gotts, N., (2010) New Institute Meeting No. 3, Montrose, 25 January 2010.

• Analysis of incentive schemes for biodiversity using a coupled agent-based model of land use change and species metacommunity model., Polhill, J.G.; Gimona, A.; Gotts, N.M., (2010) Modelling for Environment's Sake. International Congress on Environmental Modelling and Software, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 5-8 July 2010.

• Using qualitative evidence to enhance an agent-based modelling system for studying land use change., Polhill, J.G.; Sutherland, L.A.; Gotts, N.M., (2010) Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation, 13(2)

• People power: Laying the foundations for a "post-carbon" society., Craig,T.; Gotts, N.M.; Marshall, K.; Neely, C.L.; Sutherland, L.A., (2009) Holyrood Magazine, Environment Supplement, 23rd March 2009.

• e-Social science and evidence-based policy assessment: challenges and solutions., Edwards, P.; Farrington, J.; Mellish, C.; Philip, L.; Chorley, A.H.; Hielkema, F.; Pignotti, E.; Reid, R.; Polhill, J.G.; Gotts, N.M., (2009) Social Science Computer Review, 27, 553-568.

• Ramifying feedback networks, cross-scale interactions and emergent quasi-individuals in Conway's Game of Life., Gotts, N.M., (2009) Artificial Life, 15, 351-375.