 |
 |
THE CAMBRIDGE STATISTICS DISCUSSION GROUP Tuesday 15th October 2013 7:15 for 7:45 Large Lecture Theatre, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF Simulating environmental systems: the benefits of being discrete Mike Bithell Department of Geography Abstract: Many things that we encounter in the natural world are made up of individual separate objects - scree slopes are made from individual smaller rock fragments, forests from individual trees and society from individual people. The interactions between these discrete components lead to complex systems in which, over time, larger-scale structures emerge from the smaller. Using computer simulation we can explore the behaviour that results by directly modelling every rock, or every tree or every person. These models promise to help us understand better how people interact with the natural world at a time when society faces increasing environmental challenges. Speaker: Mike Bithell obtained a degree in Natural Sciences and Doctorate in Astrophysics from the University of Cambridge, before moving to the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory to work on simulation of Ozone in the atmosphere. He then moved to Geography in Oxford to model climate and the interaction between people and the environment. He currently works in the Geography department at Cambridge, and aims to develop models of society that can be integrated with physical and ecological models. This can help us understand how environmental changes affect social systems, and inform thinking about how societies adapt to environmental change. Annual General Meeting: Mike Bithell's talk will be preceded by a brief Annual General Meeting. Directions Chaucer Road is off Trumpington Road - if you are heading away from the city centre it is the first right after the junction with Brooklands Avenue. Number 15 is at the end on the left and is a large Victorian House with a more modern extension to its right. The entrance is in the porch located in the middle of the older section on the left as you come in and is accessed by ascending a few steps from the car park. Cars may be parked there. The outside door will be locked at 7:45. Arrivals after 7:45pm can gain admittance by contacting the secretary on 07761769436. A map showing the location of the unit is at http://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/contacts/directions. Provisional Next Meetings: 25th November - James Wason (MRC Biostatistics). 3rd February 2014 - Klaudia Walter (Sanger Institute). 20th February - Richard Samworth (Statistical Laboratory). 27th March - Peter Fretwell (British Antarctic Survey). 30th April - Nick Galwey (GlaxoSmithKline). Supper: Some members eat before a talk at the University Centre meeting in the Granta Lounge at 5-45pm.All welcome! Secretary: Peter Watson, MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge CB2 7EF; telephone 01223 355294 Extension 801; E-mail [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> For security purposes could you please let Peter Watson know if you intend attending the talk. Slides and .mp3 files of old talks: http://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/people/peter.watson/csdg.html --------------------------------------------------------------------- Peter Watson MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit 15 Chaucer Road Cambridge CB2 7EF Direct line: +44 (0)1223 273712 Line (via reception): +44 (0)1223 355294 x801 Fax: +44 (0)1223 359062 You may leave the list at any time by sending the command SIGNOFF allstat to [log in to unmask], leaving the subject line blank.