Workshop WORKSHOP/COURSE: Spatial Modelling with INLA

[Chris Merkord]

A Workshop will be held in the Centre for Research into Ecological and
Environmental Modelling (CREEM), University of St Andrews, from 2nd - 4th
June 2014.

Integrated nested Laplacian approximation (INLA) facilitates the fitting of
a large range of complex statistical  models by dramatically reducing
computation time. This three day workshop discusses how spatial models may
be fitted with INLA using the package R-INLA.   We discuss a wide range of
different types of spatial models, in particular complex spatial models,
spatial point process models and hierarchical models. We will also
introduce the participants to flexible spatial modelling methods using the
SPDE approach to spatial modelling and provide an outlook to recent
developments. Data examples will mainly be related to ecological studies
but the course is equally relevant to researchers from other fields
and in-depth
knowledge of ecology is not expected.

Teaching will be a combination of lectures, computer sessions and
discussions. Participants are encouraged to bring their own data set but
this is not a requirement.

The programme (lectures and practicals) will include:
    a general introduction to integrated nested Laplacian approximation (
INLA)
    how to fit simple (non-spatial models) in R- INLA
    an overview of types of spatial models and examples
    examples of simple spatial models in R-INLA
    more complex spatial models, joint models, marked point patterns,
models with multivariate RFs
    examples of complex spatial models in R-INLA

There will be ample opportunity for:
    hands-on practical exercises
    feedback/ questions and answers
    time for discussion of participants' data sets in groups
Participants are encouraged to bring their own data set but this is not a
requirement.

For more information about the workshop content please contact Janine
Illian, email:janine@mcs.st-and.ac.uk

Instructors
        Janine Illian, (University of St. Andrews)
        Sigrunn Sørbye, (University of Tromsø, Norway)
        Daniel Simpson, (Norwegian University of Science and Technology)

Places will be filled on a first-come, first served basis on the receipt of
a completed registration form and payment in full. A registration form is
available here:
http://creem2.st-andrews.ac.uk/registration-and-fees/

Please contact:
Rhona Rodger
Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling
University of St Andrews
The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens
St. Andrews
Scotland KY16 9LZ
Tel:+44 1334 461842
Fax: +44 1334 461800
Email: rmr5@st-andrews.ac.uk