Rocco Paolillo
Rocco Paolillo

BIGSSS, Constructor University

Tel.: +49 421 200 3953

Email:

South Hall, Room: 308

BIGSSS-departs Ph.D. Fellow, Cohort 2017

Research Interests

  • Social Complexity
  • Agent-based modelling
  • Immigrant Integration

Dissertation topic
Residential Segregation and Intergenerational Immigrant Integration: A Schelling-Esser Model

Dissertation abstract
Spatial segregation relates to the unequal distribution in space of different groups, and it draws the attention of policymakers and scientists due to the consequences it might have on the exclusion of isolated communities and the relative reproduction of social inequalities. Though literature from different disciplines is ample, understanding the exact mechanisms through which the individual relocation moves of people translate into the urban landscape remains an issue. This project focuses on this open question, proposing agent-based modeling as a tool to experiment on and formalize the link between individual moves, socio-demographic conditions, and macro-level of spatial segregation. In detail, the project extends the well-known Schelling’s agent-based model based on ethnic homophily. The main argument is that in diverse and modern societies other social distinctions such as shared values can shape the definition of in-groups and out-groups in addition to ethnic membership. Within a rational and analytical sociological paradigm, the project translates this into the relocation decisions of social actors and formalizes how the interplay of ethnic and social distinctions preferences, along with socio-demographic conditions, can affect residential segregation scenarios.

Academic Supervisors
Jan Lorenz
Adalbert Wilhelm
Michael Windzio
Andreas Flache