СʪÃÃÊÓƵ

Skip to main content

PhD project in modelling internal displacement with agent-based simulations and policy scenarios

We are offering a self-funded PhD position with our Department of Computer Science at СʪÃÃÊÓƵ of London, focusing on modelling internal displacement using agent-based simulations and policy scenarios.

This research project aims to adapt existing agent-based models, or develop new ones, to reproduce internal population displacement patterns within specific countries.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions about the project or would like to arrange an informal discussion, please reach out to Dr. Derek Groen at derek.groen@brunel.ac.uk.

Research area

This project focuses on using agent-based simulations to model internal displacement patterns and assess policy scenarios. You will develop models that can inform decision-making by humanitarian organisations.

Project description

Internal displacement due to conflicts, natural disasters, and other crises is a significant global issue.

This PhD project aims to adapt existing agent-based models or develop new ones to accurately reproduce internal population displacement patterns within specific countries. A key research question is to assess which types of internally displaced persons (IDP) situations can be effectively reproduced using existing models and which ones require the development of additional tools.

The work will contribute towards creating a general-purpose and widely validated IDP modelling approach. This approach can then be used to inform decision-making by humanitarian organisations, helping them to better understand and respond to internal displacement scenarios.

Key Focus Areas

As a PhD candidate, your potential focus areas include:

  • Adapting and developing agent-based models to study internal displacement
  • Assessing the effectiveness of existing models in reproducing IDP situations
  • Developing new tools for scenarios that cannot be effectively modeled with existing approaches
  • Contributing to a general-purpose IDP modelling approach for humanitarian decision-making

Research Approach

This project employs a multidisciplinary approach, combining agent-based simulations with policy scenario analysis to enhance our understanding of internal displacement. You will:

  • Explore agent-based simulation techniques to model internal displacement
  • Collaborate with experts in computer science, social sciences, and humanitarian studies
  • Develop comprehensive models to inform policy and decision-making

Who we're looking for

Your passion for exploring and advancing this field will be essential, as will your innovative thinking to develop creative solutions to complex problems. Strong interpersonal skills will enable you to collaborate effectively with a diverse team of researchers.

While previous experience in conducting research, especially in simulation techniques or humanitarian studies, is highly valued, it is not a strict requirement.

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the above PhD topic please follow the steps below:

  1. Contact the supervisor by email or phone to discuss your interest and find out if you would be suitable. Supervisor details can be found on this topic page. The supervisor will guide you in developing the topic-specific research proposal, which will form part of your application.
  2. Click on the 'Apply here' button on this page and you will be taken to the relevant PhD course page, where you can apply using an online application.
  3. Complete the online application indicating your selected supervisor and include the research proposal for the topic you have selected.

Good luck!

This is a self funded topic

Brunel offers a number of funding options to research students that help cover the cost of their tuition fees, contribute to living expenses or both. See more information here: /research/Research-degrees/Research-degree-funding. The UK Government is also offering Doctoral Student Loans for eligible students, and there is some funding available through the Research Councils. Many of our international students benefit from funding provided by their governments or employers. Brunel alumni enjoy tuition fee discounts of 15%.

Meet the Supervisor(s)


Derek Groen - I am a Lecturer in Simulation and Modelling at СʪÃÃÊÓƵ. I'm also an Emeritus Fellow for the EPSRC-funded , a Fellow of the , and a Visiting Lecturer at the at University College London. I completed an MSc in Grid Computing at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) in 2006, and a PhD in Computational Astrophysics both at the UvA and Leiden University in November 2010. After my PhD I worked as a post-doctoral researcher on EU projects about distributed multiscale computing (MAPPER) and high-performance computing towards the Exascale (CRESTA). I received a 1-year position as a Fellow of 2020 Science in January 2015, and funded myself for two months through an EPSRC eCSE to work on new approaches for domain decomposition. I joined СʪÃÃÊÓƵ in September 2015 to become a Lecturer and I currently collaborate in the EU ComPat project about multiscale computing towards the Exascale. I have published >20 peer-reviewed journal papers in venues such as IEEE Computer, IEEE CiSE, Journal of Computational Science, Phil. Trans. R. Soc. A., Physics Review E., the Astrophysical Journal and eLife. In addition, I was second author of the , which was on multiscale modelling of clay-polymer nanocomposites and received news coverage from the Daily Telegraph and the BBC. I currently run to efficiently establish new interdisciplinary collaborations.

Related Research Group(s)

Modelling and Simulation

Modelling and Simulation - Investigating how modelling and simulation can be supported by research into high-performance computing, e-infrastructures, cyberinfrastructures, cloud computing and web-based simulation.