STORYMODELERS
STORYMODELERS
Every model has a story, every story has a model
We all model. We just have different ways of expressing it.
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Our lab builds on the idea that we can communicate through models by connecting with the stories they capture.
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The Storymodelers team comprises collaborators from different universities and based out of Old Dominion University (USA) and Universidad del Norte (Colombia). We focus on how humans and systems interact to respond to global challenges, including forced migration, climate change, and political instability. Using computational social science, engineering, and other technical approaches, we collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to map human systems and generate practical and theoretical advancements.
RESEARCH AREAS
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GLOBAL AND SOCIAL CHALLENGES
We seek to understand some of the complex issues that impact our world. Specifically, we examine the effects that large and fast migration flows have in cities' and countries' society, governance, and infrastructure; how informal settlements can be absorptive spaces for marginalized communities; and how news media play a role in our attitudes towards humanitarian crises, among other topics.
DISRUPTIVE METHODS AND TECHNOLOGIES
Different methods provide different lenses through which we can understand the world. Technological advancements enhance those lenses providing us with richer perspectives.
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Modeling is at the center of the work we do from which we connect with approaches such as on-site observations, interviews, surveys, and simulation experimentation with technologies such as large language models and cloud computing.
TEAMING AND INCLUSIVE MODELING
Stories are conveyed through dialogue, models, and collaborations. Collaborations are crucial for establishing trust and evaluating the compatibility of different viewpoints. Our research relies on collaborations with social scientists, scholars in the humanities, computer scientists, and other relevant experts. Moreover, we focus on creating inclusive approaches and tools that facilitate effective communication not only among academics but also among students and neurodiverse individuals.
PROJECTS
ABSORPTIVE CAPACITY
Explores how communities respond to the arrival to refugees and migrants. We consider three case studies (locations): Lesvos, Greece; Barranquilla, Colombia; and Cape Town, South Africa
Minerva Initiative: 2018-2023