Research

SimPaths underpins a growing body of methodological and applied work across life course analysis, income support, care, and health inequalities.

This page highlights the core reference paper first, then points to a short selection of related outputs built with or around the model.

Reference paper

SimPaths: an open-source microsimulation model for life course analysis

International Journal of Microsimulation · 2025

Bronka P, van de Ven J, Kopasker D, Katikireddi SV, Richiardi M

Use this as the primary citation for the model and as the best high-level introduction to the SimPaths framework, scope, and design choices.

Further references

Welfare effects of social care policies

van de Ven J, Bronka P, Richiardi M

A recent working paper using the model to examine social care policy effects through a life course lens.

The life course effects of care

van de Ven J, Bronka P, Richiardi M

Explores how caring responsibilities shape outcomes over time and illustrates the kind of policy questions SimPaths can support.

Attenuation and reinforcement mechanisms over the life course

Richiardi M, Bronka P, van de Ven J

An example of SimPaths informing broader theoretical questions about cumulative dynamics across the life course.

Evaluating the influence of taxation and social security policies on psychological distress: a microsimulation study of the UK during the COVID-19 economic crisis

Kopasker D, Bronka P, Thomson RM, Khodygo V, Kromydas T, Meier P, Heppenstall A, Bambra C, Lomax N, Craig P, Richiardi M, Katikireddi SV

A policy-focused application linking tax-benefit reform scenarios to mental health outcomes during a period of acute economic disruption.

Short-term impacts of Universal Basic Income on population mental health inequalities in the UK: a microsimulation modelling study

Thomson RM, Kopasker D, Bronka P, Richiardi M, Khodygo V, Baxter AJ, Igelström E, Pearce A, Leyland AH, Katikireddi SV

Shows how the model can be used to examine distributional health effects of ambitious income-support policies.