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

• Emergent complexity in Conway's Game of Life., Gotts, N.M., (In press) Invited submission to Conway's Game of Life Cellular Automaton, (ed. Andy Adamatsky).

• Emergent complexity in Conway's Game of Life., Gotts, N.M., (In press) Invited submission to book on Conway's Game of Life Cellular Automaton, (ed. Andy Adamatsky), UWE.

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

• 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.

• Agent based modelling in GILDED and at Macaulay land Use Research Institute., Gots, N.M.; Polhill, J.G.; Gimona, A.; Davies, B.; Matthews, R., (2009) University of Groningen, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Institute of Political Science, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, University of South Bohemia, 6th July -13th July 2009.

• 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.

• ABMED: A prototype agent-based model of energy demand., Gotts, N.M., (2009) European Social Simulation Association, (ESSA), 6th Conference, University of Surrey, Guildford, 14th-18th September 2009. On cd-rom.

• The GILDED Project - Governance, infrastructure, lifestyle dynamics and energy demand: European post-carbon communities., Gotts, N.M., (2009) All Energy, Aberdeen, 20th May 2009.

• The GILDED Project., Gotts, N.M., (2009) In: Consultation on Scotland's Energy Efficiency Action Plan, Scottish Government.