Gert Jan Hofstede

Dr. Gert Jan Hofstede serves as a Personal Professor in Artificial Sociality at Wageningen University & Research, where he combines his unique background as a population biologist with expertise in social simulation and cultural studies. Born in 1956 in the Netherlands, he completed his education as a population biologist and earned his PhD in production planning, later developing a distinguished career in Information Systems. His research focuses on understanding the generic dynamics of human social behavior through simulation gaming and social simulation methods. As the founder of SiLiCo and a prominent figure in Complex Adaptive Systems research, he integrates knowledge from multiple fields to create practical applications. His work is driven by the conviction that human behavior, while complex, is not unpredictable but rather inadequately understood. Currently affiliated with the Urban Economics Group as of 2023, he continues to advance the field of artificial sociality, using agent-based modeling and simulation to explore social behavior patterns. His contributions extend to teaching in various MicroMasters programs and MOOCs, including "Circular Economy: An Interdisciplinary Approach," where he brings his expertise in social simulation and complex systems to bear on contemporary challenges. His recent work includes significant publications on artificial sociality, agent-based modeling, and social status dynamics, establishing him as a leading voice in computational social science and cultural evolution studies.