I am a Senior Economist in the Capital Markets Division of the Bank of England. I have a PhD in Economics from the joint program at Vilfredo Pareto Doctorate in Economics (University of Turin) and Collegio Carlo Alberto, where I’ve taught graduate level economic courses. Prior to joining the Bank of England, I also worked in the private sector as a quantitative analyst on issues related to different areas including asset management, risk management, and policy implementation.

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Life Story:

Akif Smith, born in 1985 in New York, is a globally recognized software architect and developer with a career filled with achievements. From childhood, Smith discovered his interest in technology and took his first steps into the world of computer programming.

High School Years:

During high school, Smith excelled in mathematics and computer sciences. Actively involved in the school’s computer club, he rapidly developed his skills in software development. Winning top honors in programming competitions during high school helped him make a name for himself.

University Education:

Smith focused his early passion for computer sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he specialized in software engineering and artificial intelligence. During his student years, he participated in numerous significant projects, earning recognition from both peers and faculty for his contributions.

Career Start:

After graduation, Smith began his career as a software engineer at a technology company. In his early years, he contributed significantly to the company’s success by participating in innovative projects. His innovative approaches to software development processes and problem-solving skills quickly garnered attention.

Founding His Own Company:

After gaining several years of experience in the software industry, Smith decided to establish his own technology company. The company gained recognition in the industry by producing customer-centric solutions. His emphasis on innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction quickly elevated the company to a leadership position in the software world.

Achievements and Contributions:

Smith became a prominent figure in the software world, known for his visionary approach and pioneering projects. His innovative ideas, deep knowledge of technology, and teamwork skills made him a respected leader in the industry. Additionally, he prioritized mentoring young software developers to bring new talent into the sector.

Private Life:

Despite a busy work schedule, Smith makes time for hobbies such as computer games, reading books, and traveling. His love for his family and dedication to his work have guided him toward a fulfilling life, both professionally and personally.

Today, Akif Smith continues to be recognized in the software world for his achievements and ongoing projects. His advanced knowledge and leadership skills contribute to his continued respect in the industry.

Ifigeneia Koutiva (female) is a senior environmental engineer, holding a PhD in Civil Engineering (NTUA), a Postgrad Diploma in Water Resources and Environmental Management (Un. of Belgrade - e-learning), an MSc in Environmental Technology (Imperial College London) and an MSc in Mining and Metallurgy Engineering (NTUA). Her PhD was funded by the Greek Ministry of Education through Heracleitous II scholarship. She is currently a postdoctoral scholar of the State Scholarship Foundation (IKY) for 2020 - 2021. She has 10 years of experience in various EU funded research projects, both as a researcher and as a project manager, in the fields of socio-technical simulation, urban water modelling, modelling and assessment of alternative water technologies, artificial intelligence, social quantitative research, KPI and water indicators development and assessment and analysis of large data sets. She is very competent with programming for creating ICT tools for agent based modelling and data analysis tools and she is an experienced user of spatial analysis software and tools. She is also actively involved in the design and implementation of numerous consultation workshops and conferences. She has authored more than 20 scientific journal articles, conferences articles and research reports.

I am currently enrolled as a graduate student at UC3M, working towards a MS degree in Computational and Applied Mathematics. Upon completing my current program, my intention is to further my education in Applied Economics, with a specific focus on the intersection of Climate and Development Economics.

My research pursuits center around investigating the impacts of climate change on developing nations. Additionally, I am interested in studying the repercussions of fast fashion consumption, examining its effects on working conditions, the environment, and the overall well-being of individuals in the countries where these garments are manufactured. In my ongoing master’s thesis, I employ Agent-Based Modeling to simulate the attitudes of individual consumers towards fast fashion. The model captures behavioral shifts influenced by peers, social media, and governmental factors. This research aligns with my broader interests in comprehending public perspectives on global matters, underscoring the crucial influence of individual attitudes in confronting and finding solutions to these challenges.

I am an agent-based modeller at the James Hutton Institute in Scotland. I specialise in large-scale modelling of social and socio-ecological systems, with a particular focus on simulating stressors and process that could give rise to transformational change. To date, my research has focused on food and agricultural systems, rural economies, and the WASH sector, with much of it informed by firsthand fieldwork in Africa, Asia, and Europe. I am also interested in leveraging open science, participatory research, quantitative ethnography, and grounded theory within modelling processes to collaboratively generate nuanced insights into individual behaviour and societal dynamics. I received the Open Science Award from the International Land Use Study Centre in 2023 for such work. I currently co-lead the European Social Simulation Association’s Special Interest Group on Modelling Transformative Change and I am the Associate Director of the Centre for Empirical Agent-Based Modelling at the James Hutton Institute.