22
Jan

Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, mathematical modelling was used in some settings to inform policy making, often playing an outsized role compared to previous outbreaks. The pandemic illustrated however that capacity to conduct modelling and the structures to incorporate the results into policy was inequal around the globe, being concentrated in the global north.

In the last year, modellers from across the countries of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) have created a network (the Modelling Infectious Diseases in South East Asia [MIDSEA] Network) to create a forum for researchers to “share notes” on the latest best practices in the building and use of models, thanks to generous funding support from Temasek Foundation, Singapore. This has involved the organisation of an online seminar series and in-person workshops.

In this session, the presenters will highlight some of the range of modelling capabilities present in ASEAN, and how modellers have been working with policy makers to inform and evaluate their countries’ policies against both the pandemic and new threats.