CLIMATE AND EARTH
SYSTEM SCIENCES
Photo: UHH/Denstorf
28 October 2022
Photo: private
We are proud to announce the successful MSc thesis presentation of our SICSS member Deniz Sirin
His thesis "Exploring decision making heterogeneity in a simple agricultural Agent-Based Model" was supervised by Prof. Dr. Uwe A. Schneider (Research Unit Sustainability and Climate Risks - Universität Hamburg) and Dr. Sascha Hokamp (Research Group Climate Change and Security - Universität Hamburg).
Deniz investigated the effects of decision-making heterogeneity on system behavior through a simple agro-economical agent-based model, in which the decision-making processes are represented by various behavioral theories, and agents choose a farming type among several farming practices. Results of his thesis revealed significant differences between homogeneous and heterogeneous decision-making simulations, and the decision-making heterogeneity generated indirect interactions between agents. Furthermore, his results implied that decision-making heterogeneity have the potential to significantly alter the adoption and spread of different options in a complex model context, and decision-making homogeneity might cause a loss of depth in social-ecological models, especially in terms of societal dynamics.
Deniz's future plans?
Deniz is eager to pursue a career focused on the socio-economical and socio-ecological effects of climate change, especially on agriculture and food systems.