Critical simulation studies
- Submission status
- Open
- Submission deadline
This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructure and SDG 16 - Peace, justice and strong institutions.
Computer simulation, ranging from video games to digital twins of industrial systems and policy forecasting models, are becoming increasingly ubiquitous and sophisticated, driven by the rise of algorithms, large language models, and other forms of artificial intelligence. They are widely used in education and professional training, such as flight simulators and surgical procedures. Digital twins are rapidly gaining traction in Industry 4.0, helping to optimise resources and performance, while policymakers employ social simulations to model human behaviour and predict outcomes in scenarios from disease spread to disaster response.
Controversially, simulations have also been used to model and covertly influence electoral behaviour (e.g. the Cambridge Analytica affair). Recent developments now enable AI agents to learn skills and simulate human conversation, adding to an already complex landscape of human–computer interaction. A critical approach is essential to understand the profound implications of these trends.
This thematic Collection invites scholars from across the social sciences and humanities to explore the empirical growth of simulation across a wide range of domains. There will be a cross-cutting emphasis on the digital aspects of simulation, including algorithms, large language models (GenAI), bots, and technology platforms.
The Collection will also address broader questions in social theory, philosophy, and ontology, as contributors engage with empirical developments in these areas. Simulation will be examined not only as an empirical phenomenon, but also as a metaphor for understanding how human agency and subjectivity are evolving in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms, GenAI, bots, and other digital tools.
We welcome contributions on a range of topics, including but not limited to:
- Theoretical and methodological approaches to studying the application of computer simulations in domains such as policy, politics, business, social services, climate, green transition, transport, urban planning, education, and entertainment.
- Simulation as a metaphor for understanding transformations of human and non-human agency in the age of AI.
- Social theoretical, philosophical, methodological, and ethical implications of the empirical growth of simulation.
Research that is primarily for a computer science audience or which has no clear application to the humanities/social sciences will not be considered in scope.
