Complex Systems Studies

The Master's programme Complex Systems and Policy (CS&P) offers a unique approach to future-focused policymaking. https://www.uva.nl/en/programmes/masters/complex-systems-and-policy/complex-systems-and-policy.html?cb

Nicole’s guide to writing research statements https://quantumfrontiers.com/2025/08/10/nicoles-guide-to-writing-research-statements/

3rd European Summer Program in Infectious Disease Analysis and Modelling (ESPIDAM) Time: June 22-26, 2026 Location: Stockholm University, Sweden Registration: Is now open. Early bird registration to March 31. Registration closes May 31. Suitable participants: PhD students, PostDocs, Public Health scientists and others interested Structure: The summer program consists of 8 course modules, 4 the first half week and 4 the second half week. Participants can register to one or two modules. More information: www.su.se/math/espidam

Network Modeling and Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Correlations in Multivariate Time Series https://vimeo.com/1170388794

Spin Glass Concepts in Computer Science, Statistics, and Learning Spin glass theory studies the structure of sublevel sets and minima (or near-minima) of certain classes of random functions in high dimension. Near-minima of random functions also play an important role in high-dimensional statistics and statistical learning, where minimizing the empirical risk (which is a random function of the model parameters) is the method of choice for learning a statistical model from noisy data. Finally, near-minima of random functions are obviously central to average-case analysis of optimization algorithms. Computer science, statistics, and machine learning naturally lead to questions that are traditionally not addressed within physics and mathematical physics. I will try to explain how ideas from spin glass theory have seeded recent developments in these fields. https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.23326

ifisc.uib-csic.es/en/about-ifisc/join-us/surf/surf-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAcI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR48-qW8ploA1ze18ycj6NwyYZywRaFXIblcsD6ts1zA9NpPTEFkFzJuxphURA_aem_B7ifNXwi7Q5I_Nk1KMmxrA https://ifisc.uib-csic.es/en/about-ifisc/join-us/surf/surf-2026/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQAcI1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA80MDk5NjI2MjMwODU2MDkAAR48-qW8ploA1ze18ycj6NwyYZywRaFXIblcsD6ts1zA9NpPTEFkFzJuxphURA_aem_B7ifNXwi7Q5I_Nk1KMmxrA

What is emergence, after all? https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/5/2/pgag010/8429832. In this perspective paper, I clarify the scientific meaning of emergence as a measurable and physically grounded phenomenon. Through concrete examples, such as temperature, magnetism, and herd immunity in social networks, I review how collective behavior can arise from local interactions that are constrained by global boundaries. By refining the concept of emergence, it is possible to gain a clearer and more grounded understanding of complex systems. My goal is to show that emergence, when properly framed, offers not mysticism, but rather insight. Science is compatible with a form of pluralism that affirms the reality of higher-level causal powers. The word “emergence” is widely used in the field of complex systems. While vague or mystical references to emergence may sound compelling, selling complexity science by mystifying emergence and invoking some spiritual dimensions is a great disservice.

ISCS 2026 invites applications and nominations for two awards recognizing outstanding early-career contributions in Complex Systems. Doctoral Student Award Submission deadline: March 11, 2026 This award is open to Ph.D. students and aims to highlight promising doctoral research. Candidates are invited to present their work in a five-minute video addressed to a lay audience. The presentation should be clear, accessible, and convincing. More information and submission details: https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/call-doctoral-student-award/ Young Researcher Award Submission deadline: March 11, 2026 This award recognizes early-career researchers (up to five years after Ph.D. defense) who have made significant contributions and demonstrated leadership in Complex Systems related fields. More information and nomination details: https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/ccs-france/call-young-resarcher-award/

Transmission Networks and Intervention Effects From SARS-CoV-2 Genomic and Social Network Data in Denmark https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.01.08.26343683v1 Decision-making by governments during disease outbreaks is increasingly reliant on large-scale pathogen genomics and detailed individual-level data. We use 293,841 SARS-CoV-2 genomes collected in Denmark, between September 1st 2020 and December 31st 2021, and combine these with comprehensive individual-level data on settings, including households, schools, workplaces and family relationships, to infer plausible transmission pathways. Next, we use the plausible transmission pathways to assess the effectiveness of specific non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and quantify transmission heterogeneities, providing a more detailed understanding than is possible from aggregate national estimates. School restrictions were associated with reduced community transmission; face coverings and gathering restrictions were associated with reduced transmission across all settings. We find that those vaccinated with two doses, compared to the unvaccinated, had onward transmission reduced by 23.5% (95% highest posterior density interval: 21.5-25.2%). Our proposed approach is pathogen agnostic, and can be used in future outbreaks where genomic data and data on social relationships are available.

William Bialek: Scaling, criticality, and the statistical physics of biological networks - Class 1 School on biological physics across scales: phase transitions https://youtu.be/QK2SCwNHzaA

US science after a year of Trump A series of graphics reveals how the Trump administration has sought historic cuts to science and the research workforce. go.nature.com/4jSm0ui

Bottom-up mesoscopic coarse-graining of soft matter https://www.nature.com/articles/s42254-025-00915-4

ESPIDAM, the European Summer Program in Infectious Disease Analysis and Modelling June 2026 for PhD students, Post Docs, Public Health scientists and others interested, supported by Stockholm University and the Nordic Research Council NordForsk. https://www.statistics.su.se/english/divisions/department-of-mathematics/research/conferences-and-seminars/espidam-the-european-summer-program-in-infectious-disease-analysis-and-modelling

Surface optimization governs the local design of physical networks | Nature https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09784-4