ALL FOR PAPERS: 1st Workshop of the SKIN Community

Simulating Knowledge Dynamics in Innovation Networks

31st March – 1st April 2011

University of Koblenz-Landau, Koblenz, Germany

This workshop provides a meeting place for the growing community of researchers using the SKIN model or wanting to learn more about it.

SKIN is a multi-agent model of innovation networks in knowledge-intensive industries that is grounded in empirical research and theoretical frameworks from innovation economics and economic sociology. Using conceptual models based on robust empirical studies, SKIN is the ideal platform for learning about different processes for creating, transferring and distributing knowledge, collaborating for innovation, and the governance of these processes, collaborations and networks. Developed using case studies from different technological and institutional contexts, SKIN is one of the leading platforms for applying agent-based modelling (ABM) to the innovation networks found in a variety of real world contexts.

The SKIN model has been in development since 1998 and has been used and adapted for a broad range of projects, applications, and research questions. More and more people have been using it as a platform for developing their own research ideas. This community is loosely connected through institutional affiliations and personal contacts. A growing interest in learning what else is going on has led to the establishment of a SKIN website ( http://cress.soc.surrey.ac.uk/SKIN/ ) where researchers can contribute ideas, papers and models. This workshop is the next step in developing and enhancing the SKIN community.

Call for Abstracts

Do you work with SKIN? Are you interested in applying SKIN ideas or using the model for your own research? This is a call for abstracts for presentations to be given at this two day workshop. We are interested in everything – from very first ideas and plans to finished projects. Please email your abstract of not more than 500 words by October 5th 2010 to Nigel Gilbert at [email protected]. Authors will be informed by November 5th about the success of their submission. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

The workshop will take place at the University of Koblenz-Landau, locally hosted by Professors Klaus G. Troitzsch and Harald von Kortzfleisch and his team. The university is located in the delightful city of Koblenz at the junction of the Rhine and Moselle rivers in the German wine making region of Rheinland-Pfalz. It can be reached easily from Frankfurt Airport, or from Cologne. A limited supply of very cheap accommodation (bed and breakfast: €21 per night) and more luxurious accommodation adjacent to the University (€75 per night) is available. A registration fee of €80 to cover both refreshments and a workshop dinner at a local castle will be charged.

If you wish to attend the workshop, but not to make a presentation, please email Nigel Gilbert at [email protected]. Registrations will be accepted up to 5th March 2011, but early registration is advised because places at the workshop are limited.

Petra Ahrweiler, University College Dublin Nigel Gilbert, University of Surrey Andreas Pyka, Universität Hohenheim