Robin Purshouse speaks at the University of Exeter
Professor Robin Purshouse recently gave a talk on Building agent-based models using computational intelligence as part of the University of Exeter's Computer Science Seminar Series.
In the talk Robin explored recent work that aims to identify agent rules using multi-objective genetic programming, with a case study on drinking behaviours in the USA. The seminar also highlighted opportunities for machine learning methods in addressing key challenges such as computational expense and identifying commonalities across a set of candidate models.
A recording of the seminar is available to watch on the Department of Computer Science's YouTube channel.
Robin is a Professor of Decision Sciences in the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering, and his research aims to help improve how we identify and choose between possible solutions to a problem, with a particular focus on the process of policy appraisal. He was instrumental in developing the Sheffield Alcohol Policy Model which provides estimates of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of alcohol policies including pricing and availability policies as well as screening and brief interventions.
SARG researchers share insights into youth and student drinking at national conference
Researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG) recently presented their findings on youth and student drinking trends at the Student Health Association Annual Conference, held from Sunday 29 June to Tuesday 1 July 2025 in Sheffield.
SARG researchers co-author new book exploring 'culture of caution' in youth drinking decline
A new book by an international team of experts, including researchers from the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), unpacks the complex social, cultural and economic factors driving the decline in young people's alcohol consumption.
SARG's Lucy Burke wins Open Research Prize 2025
Lucy Burke, a Qualitative Research Associate and PhD Student with the Sheffield Addictions Research Group (SARG), has been awarded the University of Sheffield Open Research Prize 2025 in the Postgraduate Researcher (PGR) category.
SARG showcases research at School of Medicine and Population Health event
Researchers from SARG are set to showcase their work at the University of Sheffield's School of Medicine and Population Health Research and Innovation Meeting 2025.
You might also be interested in…
SIMAH
The SIMAH project investigates the link between alcohol use and life expectancy, with a focus on socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity as modifying factors.
Targeting multiple levels of 'the smoking cessation system' using novel scientific approaches
This programme will develop and apply novel scientific approaches to increase the population rate of smoking cessation.
CASCADE
The CASCADE project aimed to develop new computer models of alcohol use which draw on existing theories for why people drink and sought novel combinations of these theories in order to better explain the changes in alcohol use we observe in society.