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Free Webinar: An Introduction to Simulation Models
Monday, June 22, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT
Category: Training
Stand Alone Webinar

An Introduction to Simulation Models
What if We Could Test Crime Prevention Policies Before Implementation?

Crime prevention strategies are often developed under conditions of uncertainty, where real-world experimentation is costly, ethically challenging, or simply not feasible. At the same time, criminological theories provide valuable insights into offender behavior, environmental influences, and crime patterns, but translating these insights into practical policy decisions remains a challenge. This webinar introduces simulation modeling, particularly agent-based modeling, as a tool that can bridge the gap between criminological theory, empirical testing, and, eventually, crime prevention strategies. Simulation models represent complex systems by capturing interactions between individuals, environments, and decision-making processes. As highlighted in recent research, these models provide a way to explore how crime patterns emerge from underlying mechanisms and how they may respond to different interventions.

When
June 22, 2026
12:00 PM Eastern
Cost
Free
Instructor
Ghent University

Session Overview

The session will provide a conceptual overview of how simulation models are built, from theory and hypotheses to formal rules and simulated scenarios, and how they can be used to test “what-if” questions. Examples will illustrate how simulations can reproduce known crime patterns (such as spatial concentration or repeat victimization) and evaluate the potential impact of prevention strategies. Overall, this webinar shows how simulation tools from criminological research can help inform, assess, and communicate crime prevention policies.

Important Details

  • This webinar will be recorded.
  • Registered participants will receive the recording within approximately 48 hours, whether or not they attend live.
  • All registrants who are IACA members receive Continuing Education Credits, and certificates are available upon request.

Registration takes place directly through Zoom. After registering, you will receive an immediate confirmation email from Zoom, followed by several reminder emails as the webinar approaches.

 

Questions about the webinar program? Visit our FAQs page or email [email protected].

Webinar image

Contact: [email protected]