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NECSI Announcements

2003 ANNOUNCEMENTS

NOVEMBER 2003

SEPTEMBER 2003

MARCH 2003

POSITIONS AVAILABLE

CURRENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

ARCHIVES

NOVEMBER 2003 ANNOUNCEMENTS

ICCS2004: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPLEX SYSTEMS CFP

Announcement, Including Call for Papers

Fifth International Conference
on
COMPLEX SYSTEMS

Boston, MA
May 16-21, 2004

Host: New England Complex Systems Institute
http://necsi.net
necsi@necsi.net

Conference Chairman: Yaneer Bar-Yam
Executive Committee:
Dan Braha, Helen Harte, Ali Minai

This is the fifth in a series of conferences with two
major aims: first, to investigate those properties or
characteristics that appear to be common to the very
different complex systems now under study; and second,
to encourage cross fertilization among the many disciplines
involved.

PEDAGOGICAL SESSION: The conference will include
pedagogical sessions on Sunday, May 16 covering
fundamental knowledge in concepts, simulation,
and analysis tools relevant to complex systems.

CONFERENCE TRACKS:

Please note that this year there will be special tracks
and sessions in:

Systems biology
Networks & Structural Themes
Socio-economic systems
Engineering systems
Evolution and Ecology / Population change
Nonlinear dynamics and Pattern formation
Physical systems, Quantum and Classical
Learning / Neural, Psychological and Psycho-Social Systems
Concepts, Formalisms, Methods and Tools

Sessions will be formed out of abstracts received on
diverse topics. Individual submissions will be accepted
on their merit. A list of subject areas follows.

ICCS SUBJECT AREAS: UNIFYING THEMES IN COMPLEX SYSTEMS
Sessions will be structured around both themes and systems.

The themes are:

EMERGENCE, STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION: substructure, the
relationship of component to collective behavior, the
relationship of internal structure to external influence,
multiscale structure and dynamics, fractals, networks.

INFORMATICS: structuring, storing, accessing, and
distributing information describing complex systems.

COMPLEXITY: characterizing the amount of information
necessary to describe complex systems, and the dynamics
of this information.

DYNAMICS: time series analysis and prediction, chaos,
temporal correlations, the time scale of dynamic processes,
spatio-temporal patterns, dynamic scaling.

SELF-ORGANIZATION: Pattern formation, evolution,
development and adaptation.

The system categories are:

PHYSICAL & CHEMICAL SYSTEMS: non-equilibrium processes,
hydrodynamics, glasses, non-linear chemical dynamics,
complex fluids, molecular self-organization, information
and computation in physical systems, spatio-temporal
patterns in physical systems from subatomic to astrophysical.

BIO-MOLECULAR & CELLULAR SYSTEMS: protein and DNA folding,
bio-molecular informatics, membranes, cellular response and
communication, genetic regulation, gene-cytoplasm interactions,
development, cellular differentiation, primitive multicellular
organisms, the immune system.

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SYSTEMS: Nervous system, neuro-
muscular control, neural network models of brain, cognition,
psychofunction, psychological dysfunction, mind control, pattern
recognition, learning and development, man-machine interactions.

ORGANISMS AND POPULATIONS: population biology, ecosystems,
ecology, evolution.

HUMAN SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEMS: Corporate and social structures
and dynamics, markets, urban development, the global economy,
military systems, global conflict, the Internet.

ENGINEERED SYSTEMS: Product design and product manufacturing,
nano-technology, modified and hybrid biological organisms,
computer based interactive systems, agents, artificial life,
artificial intelligence, robots, communication networks, traffic
systems, distributed control systems.

REGISTRATION:

Conference attendance is limited to about 500
participants. Applications will be accepted
on a first-come, first-served basis from those
active or interested in becoming active in the
study of complex systems.

Application should be done through the web at
http://necsi.net/events/iccs/OpenConf/

If you do not have web access and are interested
in presenting a paper or simply attending the
conference, please apply to

iccs@necsi.net

and provide the following information:

Name
Affiliation
Address
Telephone number
E-mail address

AND (if you wish to present a paper)

--an abstract (no more than 500 words) of a presentation
to be given at the conference

OR (if you do not wish to present a paper)

--a description of your interests.

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15, 2004

PROCEEDINGS AND JOURNAL PUBLICATION OF ARTICLES

Authors whose submissions are accepted for presentation
should plan to submit full papers by the Registration
deadline (Feb 29). These will be reviewed and, if accepted,
published in the peer reviewed on-line journal InterJournal
and as a conference proceedings volume. Formatting
instructions for the papers will be made available and
should be followed carefully. Submission of papers is
not a requirement for presentation at the conference.

DATES:
Applications Due: January 15
Early Registration: January 15
Registration: February 29
Paper submission: March 31
Conference: May 16-21

REGISTRATION:
Note: Registration fees do not include meals. There is an
additional lunch meal plan available at a rate of <$10/meal.

Registration fees: Regular(member) Student(member)
Early Registration: Jan 15 $300($250) $125($100)
Registration: Feb 29 $400($350) $225($200)
An additional $100 will be charged for those who register
at the conference site.
Payment information will be sent out with notification of
application acceptance.

For NECSI membership information see
http://necsi.net/membership/member.html
Annual Membership Dues: Student $20, Academic $50, Other $100

FINANCIAL SUPPORT:
We anticipate having some funds available to assist
conferees according to need. Application to the
conference organizers (iccs@necsi.net) may be made
for this financial support.

LOCATION AND ACCOMMODATIONS:

The conference will be held at the Marriott Boston Quincy
in Quincy, Massachusetts, 8 miles south of downtown Boston.

Reservations can be made directly with Marriott reservations
at (800) 228-9290 or (617) 472-1000

A block of rooms has been reserved at a conference discount
rate of $139/night + tax (single or double) for the week of
the conference. These rooms are available on a first-come,
first-served basis. To receive the discount rate identify
yourself as a member of the ICCS Convention. These rates are
only available until Friday, April 23, 2004. Cancellations
may be made up to 48 hours in advance without penalty. If
you need assistance in arranging for a roommate, please email
iccshousing@necsi.net.

I look forward to seeing you there.
Best,
Yaneer

------------------------------------------------
Yaneer Bar-Yam
President
New England Complex Systems Institute
http://necsi.net
------------------------------------------------

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SEPTEMBER 2003 ANNOUNCEMENTS

NECSI Open House

Please join the New England Complex Systems Institute faculty, staff
and fellows at our open house on September 30. The open house is an
opportunity for students and faculty interested in the study of complex
systems to learn about the New England Complex Systems Institute, our
research projects, our educational programs, and our community.
Refreshments will be served.

DATE: Tuesday, September 30, 2003

TIME: 4:00 - 7:00 PM

LOCATION:
New England Complex Systems Institute
24 Mt. Auburn Street
Cambridge, Massachusetts

RSVP: 617-547-4100 or web@necsi.org

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Friday Afternoon Seminar Series

To be included on our announcement list for seminars at NECSI please
send a blank e-mail to localmeeting-on@necsi.org

First Seminar:
Friday, October 3, 2003 at 2:00 PM

We are pleased to announce a special seminar to be given by DAVID
WOLPERT of NASA Ames Research Center, entitled "From Game Theory to
Distributed Optimization and Back Again" hosted at our NECSI office in
Cambridge, MA.

All seminars are free and open to the public.

For more information: 617-547-4100 or web@necsi.org

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One Day Health Care Seminar

Systems-Based Practice:
Competency for Medical Professionals

One day pilot introductory course to essential concepts.

DATE: Sunday, November 2, 2003

SPEAKERS:
- Yaneer Bar-Yam
- Meghan Dierks
- David Roberson

LOCATION: Boston, TBD

INTENDED AUDIENCE:
Physicians, nurses, pharmacists, residents, healthcare technicians, and
other healthcare professionals.

FORMAT:
One day intensive program of lectures and discussions.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

This is a one day introduction to the essential concepts of complex
systems in healthcare and their application to systems-based practice.

The New England Complex Systems Institute in cooperation with
physicians from Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital and Childrenís Hospital
in Boston, has developed a program of study to provide essential
insights into understanding the system of interacting care providers as
well as the role of effective individual action in specific local
contexts.

The medical care provided to any individual depends on a few to many
individuals, on technology, and on the interactions between them. Since
the individual physician is not solely responsible for care, knowledge
of systems based practice is central to improving the quality and
safety of care. All relevant parts of the system must act effectively
and in concert for high quality care to be provided. Recognizing that
the system is the care provider (not just a single doctor or nurse)
enables physicians and other medical professionals to understand
origins of medical errors. Significantly, it also enables healthcare
providers to understand the mechanisms by which systems (not just
individuals) can learn to reduce the frequency of errors and improve
care.

Through this program, physicians and other medical professionals will
gain the perspective necessary to see themselves and their actions in
relation to the system that provides care.

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/healthcare/

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NECSI Health Care Initiative

The New England Complex Systems Institute announces a Health Care
Creative Studies Initiative for physicians, nurses, allied medical
professionals, leaders in health care policy development, medical
research, public health, health care financing, and health care
organization management.

Each day brings more news of serious stresses to the health care
system. Up to now interventions have only served to add to the
complexity and cost and provided no improvement to those struggling to
receive care and those struggling to provide it.

The New England Complex Systems Institute has developed an innovative
approach to address the needs of providing public health and health
care services in the current environment and to adapt quickly to
provide care in the unknowable environments that lie ahead. This
approach is based on sound research in complex adaptive systems and
draws from the knowledge of internationally known scientists in many
fields.

Participants in the Health Care Creative Studies Initiative will have
the opportunity to learn from as well as contribute to the growing body
of knowledge of applications of complex systems in health care.

The Initiative will provide the following opportunities to its
membership:

  • To participate in semiannual two day seminars on the application of
    complex systems to meeting public health and health care needs and
    staying financially viable. Members are invited to join faculty in
    delivering presentations, leading discussions and developing case
    studies.
  • To participate in small group projects on areas of specific need and
    interest.
  • To share their experiences in applying this approach to specific
    public health and health care problems.
  • To develop proposals for changes in public health and health care
    policy and public health and health care management using complex
    systems concepts.
  • To design structures for the delivery of public health and health
    care services that will allow for rapid adaptation to any conditions.
  • To contribute to the growing literature on complex systems in health
    care and public health.

For more information:
http://necsi.net/education/hci/

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Modeling Workshop

Dates: November 15-16, 2003
Location: Cambridge, MA

This course offers an introduction to building models of complex
systems (physical, biological, social and engineering). It will cover
the basic construction and analysis of models including the steps of
identifying the objects to be modeled, describing their state and
interactions mathematically, and implementing the model in a computer
simulation. Examples will include chemical pattern-formation, game
theory, co-evolutionary dynamics, networks, and agent markets.
Particular attention will be paid to choosing the right level of detail
for the model, testing its robustness, and discussing which questions a
given model can or cannot answer.

This course is geared toward students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty
and others who are interested in developing quantitative models. A
background in mathematics, physics or programming is helpful, but is
not required.

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/modeling/

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One Week Intensive Course: Complex Physical,
Biological and Social Systems

Dates: January 5-9, 2004
Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA

This is a one semester course in a one week format. Arrangements for
credit at a home institution should be made in advance. Contact
programs@necsi.org.

This course offers an introduction to the essential concepts of complex
systems and related mathematical methods and simulation strategies with
application to physical, biological and social systems. Concepts to be
discussed include: emergence, complexity, networks, self-organization,
pattern formation, evolution, adaptation, fractals, chaos, cooperation,
competition, attractors, interdependence, scaling, dynamic response,
information, and function. Methods to be discussed include: statistical
methods, cellular automata, agent-based modeling, pattern recognition,
system representation and informatics.

This course is intended for graduate students, post-doctoral fellows,
faculty and others who would like to gain an understanding of the
fundamentals of complex systems, and develop methodological tools for
conducting research in their respective fields.

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/oneweek/winter04.html

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Managing Complex Organizations in a Complex World

Leadership in Rapidly Changing Business Environments: Learning &
Adapting in Time

NECSI Executive Education Programs

Dates: February 26-27, 2004
Location: Cambridge, MA

SPEAKERS:
Yaneer Bar-Yam: NECSI and Harvard University
Peter Senge: Society for Organizational Learning
and MIT Sloan School of Management
John Sterman: MIT Sloan School of Management

This is a two day practical experience on working with chaos and
complexity - in the global economy, in national markets, in business to
business interactions and within the organization itself. We will use
new insights and concepts from the field of complex systems to discuss
innovative ways to survive and thrive in today's new/old economy.

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/exec/

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International Conference on Complex Systems,
May 2004

The next International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS) is
scheduled for May 16-21, 2004 in Boston, MA.

Symposium / special session proposals are welcome and should be sent to
abstracts@necsi.org.

The general call for papers with submission instructions will be sent
shortly.

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Call for Papers: Complex Engineered Systems

DEADLINE: November 15, 2003

Recent advances in science and technology have led to a rapid increase
in the complexity of most engineered systems. In many notable cases,
this change has been a qualitative one rather than merely one of
magnitude. A new class of Complex Engineered Systems (CES) has emerged
as a result of technologies such as the Internet, GPS, wireless
networking, micro-robotics, MEMS, fiber-optics and nanotechnology.
These complex engineered systems are composed of many heterogeneous
subsystems and are characterized by observable complex behaviors that emerge
as a result of nonlinear spatio-temporal interactions among the subsystems at
several levels of organization and abstraction. Understanding, designing,
building and controlling such complex systems is going to be a central
challenge for engineers in the coming decades. The objective of this
book is to demonstrate the potential of complex systems perspectives to
understanding and improving the design, implementation, and dynamics of
complex engineered systems. The first of its kind, the book is
especially important in that it will bring together the latest research
and practice on the relationship between complex systems and
large-scale engineering systems.

EDITORS: Dan Braha, Ali Minai, Yaneer Bar-Yam

Complex Engineering Systems will be published by Perseus Books Groups
in the New England Complex Systems Institute Complexity Series.

Authors should submit full papers. Papers will be refereed. Submissions
should be made electronically, preferably in MS-Word, to Dan Braha at
brahad@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Further Details:
http://necsi.net/announce/cxengbook.html

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Call for Book Proposals

The NECSI book series on Complexity published by Perseus Books Groups
is expanding. We welcome book proposals on topics in complex systems
research. Fundamental studies as well as applications to specific
disciplines or across disciplines are relevant. Both single author and
edited volumes are of interest. Book proposals should be sent to
office@necsi.org. Please include a half-page to a page description of
the book topic, a statement about the intended audience, format (single
author, edited volume) and expected length, and tentative outline.

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NECSI Publications

Recent research papers can be found at
http://necsi.net/projects/

Books Recently Published:

  • Unifying Themes in Complex Systems Vol. II, Proceedings of the Second
    International Conference on Complex Systems
  • Dynamics of Complex Systems, by Y. Bar-Yam
    (paperback edition)
  • Unifying Themes in Complex Systems Vol. I
    (paperback edition)

Coming Soon:

  • Unifying Themes in Complex Systems Vol. III,
    Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Complex Systems

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What's New On-Line

Group project reports from the most recent one week intensive course
held at UCLA in June of 2003 are now on the web at:
http://necsi.net/education/oneweek/summer03/projects.html

New video clips from ICCS 2002 are posted at:
http://necsi.net/events/iccs/video.html

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Traveling Seminars

Due to the growing interest in complex systems, we are offering one-day
seminars at universities and organizations across the United States and
Canada. These seminars provide an opportunity to introduce basic
complex systems concepts and to explore the scope this field provides
for research and applications. Perhaps the most important part of the
program is the opportunity for participants to discuss areas of
specific interest to them and ask questions about particular
applications.

For examples of past seminars, please see:
http://necsi.net/education/index.html#past

To plan and schedule a program please contact us at programs@necsi.org

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Academic Year 2003-2004 Memberships

Membership in NECSI is $20 per year for registered students, $50 per
year for academics, and $100 per year for everyone else. All
memberships are fully tax-deductible. To register for membership please
send a message including your name and preferred e-mail
address to membership@necsi.org

Payment information can be found at
http://necsi.net/membership/member.html

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NECSI Discussion Group

A discussion forum of complex systems principles in science and
application to physical, biological and social systems:

Archives:
http://necsi.net:8100/Lists/complex-science/List.html

To subscribe to the list send e-mail to:
complex-science-on@necsi.org

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MARCH 2003 ANNOUNCEMENTS

ONE WEEK INTENSIVE COURSE:
COMPLEX PHYSICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND SOCIAL SYSTEMS

-- A coherent program of study of complex systems concepts
and methods.

Dates: June 16-20, 2003
Location: UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
http://necsi.net/education/oneweek/summer03.html

This is a one semester course in a one-week format.

SUBJECT MATTER:
Introduction to essential concepts of complex systems and related mathematical methods and simulation strategies with application to physical, biological and social systems.

Concepts to be discussed include: emergence, complexity, networks, self-organization, pattern formation, evolution, adaptation, fractals, chaos, cooperation, competition, attractors, interdependence, scaling, dynamic response, information, and function.

Methods to be discussed include: statistical methods, cellular automata, agent-based modeling, pattern recognition, system representation and informatics.

Demonstration of the application of complex systems methods will be made through studies of: Social systems: education system, health care system, military system; Psychosocial systems: patterns of social behavior, mind, creativity, awareness; Biological systems: evolution, physiology, immune system, brain, cellular systems, genetic networks; Physical systems: meteorology.

TARGET AUDIENCE:
This course is intended for post-doctoral fellows, faculty, graduate students and others who would like to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of complex systems, and develop methodological tools for conducting research in their respective fields.

CREDIT: Arrangements for credit at a home institution Should be made in advance. Contact programs@necsi.org

For more information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/oneweek/summer03.html

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MANAGING COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONS IN A COMPLEX WORLD

Leadership in Rapidly Changing Business Environments –
Learning and Adapting in Time

NECSI Executive Education Programs

May 1-2, 2003
Cambridge, MA

Speakers:
YANEER BAR-YAM, NECSI and Harvard University
JEFFREY CARES, Newport Center for Information Age Warfare Studies
PETER SENGE, Society for Organizational Learning and MIT Sloan School of Management
JOHN STERMAN, MIT Sloan School of Management

This is a two-day practical experience on working with chaos and complexity - in the global economy, in national markets, in business to business interactions and within the organization itself. We will use new insights and concepts from the field of complex systems to discuss innovative ways to survive and thrive in today's new/old economy.

A limited number of academic scholarships are available. Contact Debra at exec@necsi.org if you are interested.

Information and registration:
http://necsi.net/education/exec/

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NECSI SPECIAL SEMINARS

March 7, 21 & 28, 2003 @ 2:00 PM
New England Complex Systems Institute
24 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA

We are pleased to announce special seminars this month, hosted at our NECSI Office in Cambridge, MA.

Schedule:

Friday, March 7, 2:00 PM:
"Complexity in Surgical Procedures"
MEGHAN DIERKS, MD
      Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
      Lawrence General Hospital
      MIT Laboratory for Computer Science

Friday, March 21, 2:00 PM:
"A Future Worth Creating: Defense Transformation in the New Security Environment"
PROF. THOMAS BARNETT
      Office of the Secretary of Defense
      U.S. Naval War College

Friday, March 28, 2:00 PM:
"Complexity studies at Kalamazoo College: from computational neuroscience via social
networks to econophysics"
PROF. PETER ERDI
      Kalamazoo College
      Hungarian Academy of Sciences

All seminars are free and open to the public.
For more information: 617-547-4100 or office@necsi.org

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON COMPLEX SYSTEMS, MAY 2004

The next International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS2004) is scheduled for May 16-21, 2004 (next year) in Boston, MA.

Symposium / special session proposals are welcome and should be sent to abstracts@necsi.org.

For information updates as they become available, please bookmark
http://necsi.net/events/iccs/iccscover.html

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PUBLICATIONS

Recent publications can be found at
http://necsi.net/projects/

New Book:

Unifying Themes in Complex Systems Vol. 2, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Complex Systems, is available this spring.

Dynamics of Complex Systems, Y. Bar-Yam, Paperback edition is available this spring

Unifying Themes in Complex Systems, Vol. I Paperback edition is available this spring

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CALL FOR PAPERS: COMPLEX ENGINEERED SYSTEMS

Recent advances in science and technology have led to a rapid increase in the complexity of most engineered systems. In many notable cases, this change has been a qualitative one rather than merely one of magnitude. A new class of Complex Engineered Systems (CES) has emerged as a result of technologies such as the Internet, GPS, wireless networking, micro-robotics, MEMS, fiber-optics and nanotechnology. These complex engineered systems are composed of many heterogeneous subsystems and are characterized by observable complex behaviors that emerge as a result of nonlinear spatio-temporal interactions among the subsystems at several levels of organization and abstraction. Understanding, designing, building and controlling such complex systems is going to be a central challenge for engineers in the coming decades. The objective of this book is to demonstrate the potential of complex systems perspectives to understanding and improving the design, implementation, and dynamics of complex engineered systems. The first of its kind, the book is especially important in that it will bring together the latest research and practice on the relationship between complex systems and large-scale engineering systems.

Editors: Dan Braha, Ali Minai, and Yaneer Bar-Yam

Complex Engineering Systems will be published by Perseus Books Groups in the New England Complex Systems Institute Complexity Series.

Proposed Schedule:

  • First draft due: November 15, 2003
  • Reviews to authors: December 15, 2003
  • Revised papers due to editor: February 15, 2004
  • Expected publication: May, 2004

Abstracts should be submitted for evalulation before preparing full manuscripts. Papers will be refereed. Submissions should be made electronically, preferably in MS-Word, to Dan Braha at brahad@bgumail.bgu.ac.il

Further details:
http://necsi.net/announce/cxengbook.html

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VISITING RESEARCHERS 2003

NECSI hosts affiliated researchers to collaborate on special projects throughout the year:

Visitors Spring 2003:

  • Prof. Fumiaki Katagiri
          Novartis Agricultural Discovery Institute
  • Prof. Michel Baranger
          Massachusetts Institute of Technology
          University of Arizona
  • Prof. Marcus A. M. de Aguiar
          Instituto de Física Gleb Wataghin
          Departamento de Física da Matéria Condensada
          Universidade Estadual de Campinas

NECSI welcomes collaborations with faculty locally, nationally and internationally. For more information, please send a note to research@necsi.org.

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NEW ONLINE

We have uploaded videoclips from ICCS2002. Please visit often as we will be uploading new videoclips weekly.
http://necsi.net/events/iccs/video.html

Group project reports from the most recent One Week Intensive Course held at MIT in January 2003 are now on the web at
http://necsi.net/education/oneweek/winter03/projectsa.html

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