Dr. Andrea Molle introduces an interdisciplinary pathway focused on conflict modeling and analysis from a social scientific perspective. This pathway aims to identify best practices for understanding and resolving inter- and intrastate conflicts, such as for example the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Syrian Civil War, or the Iraqi insurgency, emphasizing the importance of preserving civilian life in evidence-based policymaking.
Dr. Molle's research bridges academic insights with practical experiences from organizations like the Italian Carabinieri and their Center of Excellence for Stability Policing Units. His work demonstrates that the effectiveness of current approaches often falls short due to the epistemological frameworks used, rather than a lack of data. By employing game theory and computational methods, along with a deep understanding of their cultural dimensions, Dr. Molle presents an innovative way to understand the dynamics of asymmetric conflicts.
This approach offers a robust, empirically grounded theoretical framework that can significantly inform policy decisions, leading to a reduction in violence otherwise unlikely if pursued with normative or non-empirical approaches to conflict resolution. Dr. Molle invites students and colleagues from both social sciences and STEM disciplines to collaborate in applying the scientific method to the study of conflict.
Lead: Dr. Andrea Molle
“Small Wars, Big Data. The things we thought would help but often did not..." A talk by Andrea Molle at the Center of Excellence for Stability Police Units, Vicenza, Italy. Aired July 2, 2024