CIMPLEX

This case study has been selected as an example of how multidisciplinary research in a new field, digital epidemiology, can generate unexpected societal impact. Many of the project outputs from the study were initially built with the intention of monitoring Influenza, and they have successfully been repurposed as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, this case study demonstrates how close engagement with policymakers and end-users during the project can help to facilitate future impact. It also demonstrates that for a project to have a sustained impact, dedicated funds are required.

Aims of the project

Bringing CItizens, Models and Data together in Participatory, Interactive Social  Exploratories (CIMPLEX) was a multi-year research effort, co-ordinated by Professor Paul Lukowicz at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), but with a range of partners leading different aspects of the project.[1] CIMPLEX aimed to both advance the basic science around contagious phenomena, broadly defined, so as to include the spread of pathogens, misinformation, and crime, but also to develop a user-friendly ICT platform focussed on disease spread: “Interactive Social Exploratories”.

CIMPLEX was developed, at least partially, to increase the functionality of pre-existing ICT platforms with the integration of newly available data collection modalities beside the user survey.[2] This included GPS data and Bluetooth data from mobile phones, to provide an anonymised, yet comprehensive profile of the user and their mobility patterns and any clustering. In this way, CIMPLEX was developed to exploit the increasing data availability that arises from the near ubiquity of smartphones in advanced economies.

Project achievements

The CIMPLEX project contributed to advancing basic science around contagious phenomena, with findings published in at least forty-nine peer reviewed publications. In addition to this, the final ICT platform, ‘Interactive Social Exploratories’, was successfully delivered, integrating activities and outputs from the various work packages, and presented at DFKI at the end of the project on a large display screen. The ICT platform allowed for different combinations of data sources, simulation services, and interactive visualizations depending on user experience and required end-result. While successfully implemented, as resources ended with the project’s conclusion, the platform has not been maintained post-project.

Project impacts, barriers and enablers

Perhaps the most notable direct outcome of the study is the adoption of CIMPLEX outputs by health policy makers to inform infectious disease policies. CIMPLEX researchers have repurposed the application and user survey associated with their work, asking questions around COVID-19 symptoms, test result, vaccination status, alongside more behavioural questions, such as willingness to wear masks, handwash, social distance, as well individuals’ capacity to work from home.

While impactful in this regard, the lack of longer-term funding and follow-up research has limited the wider societal impact of CIMPLEX outputs. For example, while individual components continue to be relevant, the integrated platform itself has not been maintained and is no longer used.

[1] ‘CORDIS- Fact Sheet- Bringing CItizens, Models and Data together in Participatory, Interactive SociaL EXploratories (CIMPLEX).’ Accessed 7^th July 2021: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/641191

[2] ‘Second Generation Approaches: CIMPLEX’. Accessed 7^th July 2021: file:///C:/Users/hevans/Downloads/Attachment_0%20(17).pdf