In recent decades, an ever-expanding policy-oriented empirical research has emerged due to the increasing computational power and availability of microdata. Empirically guided policy needs ex-ante analyses to evaluate potential policy measures. Micro-based ex-ante simulation analysis is nowadays used extensively around the world for policy analysis and design in different fields. Microsimulation and its ability to simulate counterfactual "what-if" scenarios is a particularly suitable technique for maximizing the use and value of data for better decision making. The focus of the session will be on methods and tools as well as simulation infrastructures for the scientific community that foster policy-oriented research based on microdata data and statistics. Central aspects are the supply of underlying data while ensuring confidentiality, accessibility of programs and functions with the possibility of own adaptations and the provision of computing capacities for the execution of complex simulation runs. The session provides an overview of relevant tools, modern techniques, as well as geo-spatial modelling towards small scales or geo-locations. Special emphasis will be laid on using official or new digital data and the use of microsimulation to support official statistics. Finally, open data and research will be discussed.

Statistics Canada is a world leading National Statistical Institute with long experience in microsimulation modelling with policy applications. The JRC in Seville is responsible for advancing microsimulation modelling for policy support in the European Commission, now enhancing the well-known Euromod microsimulation tool with European Statistical Office Eurostat. Robert Tanton is the current president of the world microsimulation association and further developing geo-spatial microsimulation modelling within the National Centre For Social And Economic Modelling (NATSEM). The German research data centre is headed by Hanna Brenzel who also actively develops the German MikroSim data lab together with Ralf Münnich, who is speaker of the MikroSim project and currently chairman of the German Statistical Association.
 

Organiser: Prof. Dr. Ralf Münnich 

Chair: Prof. Danny Pfefferman 

Speaker: Robert Tanton 

Speaker: Dr Samuel Vézina 

Speaker: Hanna Brenzel 

Speaker:  Ralf Münnich