Modeling Religious Change
A Radically High-tech Approach to the Scientific Study of Religious and Nonreligious Identity and Transformation.
MRC is Reshaping the Future of Data-driven, Multi-disciplinary Demographic Research by Intentionally Combining Traditional Social Science Methodologies with Cutting-edge Computer Modeling and Simulation.
About
Modeling Religious Change (MRC) is an interdisciplinary, collaborative, multicultural, non-partisan research project generously funded by The John Templeton Foundation (JTF). MRC is a collaboration of the Center for Mind and Culture (CMAC), the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC), the Center for the Study of Global Christianity, New York University, and the Center for Modeling Social Systems.
MRC broadens existing social science methods for conceptualizing and measuring change in religious and nonreligious populations through computer modeling and simulation, and by utilizing multi-dimensional research methods to establish the merits of an integrative, big-theory approach to religious identity and change.
Our research approach reflects our commitment to non-partisanship. The MRC project does not represent, endorse, or promote any ideological, political, or spiritual practices or beliefs.
Project Goals and Impacts
Simulation
Engineering
MRC will advance simulation engineering by demonstrating how to run large artificial societies with complex agents in massive networks of distributed computing machines. Innovative visualizations to help users interpret the activities of the artificial societies and the ‘lives’ of their agents as they unfold in real time.
Demographics
of Religion
MRC will advance the demographics of religion by delivering proof of concept for a new approach to studying religious and nonreligious identity and change by expanding the demographic study of religion and nonreligion beyond traditional methodological boundaries.
Communication & Outreach Initiatives
MRC’s communication and outreach initiatives will affect multiple audiences by communicating the importance of understanding the demographics of religion, and how it relates to the realm of demographic projection and simulation engineering.