Rafael Prieto-Curiel

Rafael Prieto-Curiel is a postdoctoral research fellow at the Complexity Science Hub in Vienna, Austria. He holds a PhD and master’s in statistics from University College London (UCL) and previously worked at the University of Oxford and UCL's Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis. His research spans urban dynamics, human migration, crime modeling, and urban sustainability, employing mathematical and data-driven approaches to complex societal problems.

His research interests include urban sustainability, human migration, crime in the digital age, and mobility. He applies mathematical modeling to understand urban form, migration patterns, and organized crime dynamics, particularly in Mexico. He has pioneered models to estimate cartel recruitment and its link to violence, influencing policy discussions at institutions like the World Bank and OECD.

His recent publications reflect a strong interdisciplinary trend, combining urban planning, network science, demography, and security studies. Notably, his 2023 Science paper on cartel recruitment and his work critiquing Saudi Arabia’s 'The Line' urban project have drawn international attention. His research often uses large-scale datasets and complex systems theory to derive actionable insights.

• Science Breakthrough of the Year 2024, Falling Walls Foundation

Prieto-Curiel advises international organizations and has been instrumental in public engagement through science communication. He founded the Chalkdust magazine at UCL and the Punto Decimal MX website. His work bridges academic research and policy, particularly in urban planning, migration management, and crime prevention. He has led projects such as the MigraCapax initiative, developing simulation tools for migration scenarios in Austria.

He is actively involved in research projects at CSH, including studies on refugee housing stability, African urban morphology, and global mobility patterns. He collaborates widely across disciplines and institutions, contributing to a deeper understanding of complex urban and social systems.