Towards methodological approaches to meet the challenges of human, social, cultural, and behavioral (HSCB) modeling

The international developments of the recent years resulted in a radical change of tasks the armed forces are conducting. Supporting M&S methods and tools can no longer focus on attrition, movement, and warfighting operations, but need to address reconstruction, crisis prevention, police tasks, and related efforts that are conducted in collaboration with or in support of civil agencies and organizations. A “whole of society” approach is needed, focusing on human, social, cultural, and behavioral (HSCB) modeling. This paper summarizes the position papers of a group of international experts in this emerging domain looking a methodological support to define a body of knowledge, establish communities of interests, integrate operationally relevant data, and work towards a supporting framework, and was prepared in preparation of a panel discussion during the Winter Simulation Conference 2010.