In the early 1990s, whilst still a graduate student, he met Joshua M. Epstein who was to become a key collaborator. This led to Axtell joining Epstein at the Brookings Institution[5] in 1992.[4][6] The pair developed a keen interest in mathematical modeling influenced by the work of Thomas Schelling, with their primary research interest the modeling of complex social, economic, and biological systems using computational agent based models.
In Growing Artificial Societies: Social Science From the Bottom Up, Epstein and Axtell wrote about the first large scale agent-based computational model, the Sugarscape, developed by Axtell, which they used to explore the role of social phenomenon such as seasonal migrations, pollution, sexual reproduction, combat, and transmission of disease and even culture.[5]
In 2007 Axtell left Brookings for his current post at George Mason University.[4]
Axtell is also a member of the steering committee of the Atalaya Institute, using agent based models to help provide evidence to influence social policy.[7]
In 2013 Axtell became a visiting professor at Oxford's Hertford College during his sabbatical.
Selected publications
Axtell has authored and co-authored several works including:
