We have two primary goals for this project during Jelal's time here as our summer intern:
- identification of candidate simulation software technologies and development of a proof of concept for The Local Food Economy Game as a web-based exploratory learning environment, and
- identify and pursue the development of collaborative relationships with Iowa-based kindred spirit researchers in both the local food economy and agent-based simulation domains.
I knew we were going to be okay finding kindred spirits in the local food economy space. We are, afterall, in the historical agricultural heatland of the United States. I did not expect, however, to find a world class theoretical and applied research scientist in the rather specialized domain of agent-based economic simulation.
[1]Leigh Tesfatsion: Professor of Economics and Mathematics at Iowa State University and expert in Agent-based Computational EconomicsWow, were we happy to learn about Leigh Tesfatsion [2]! Leigh is Professor of Economics and Mathematics at Iowa State University in Ames. Here's how she describes her current research interests:
- Agent-based computational economics: A constructive approach to economic theory;
- Testing the economic reliability of FERC's proposed wholesale power market design;
- Modeling decentralized market economies as distributed local-interaction systems;
- Concentration and market power in a dynamic production economy;
- Labor institutions and the evolution of macroeconomic performance.
And here are links to a her current work that is spot on relevant to our project:
- Agent-Based Computational Economics (ACE) [3]
- Electricity Restructuring and Market Design [4]
- Learning in Dynamic Multi-Market Contexts [5]
- Evolution of Economic Networks [6]
- The Trade Network Game [7] (Endogenous Network Formation)
I can't wait to arrange a field trip to Ames so Timlynn and I can take Jelal along with us to meet our Community Capitals Framework [8] friends at the ISU-based North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) and get the local food researchers there together with Leigh Tesfatsion! What fun we have ahead.