International Conference on Complex Systems (ICCS2006)
Boston, MA
June 25-30, 2006
Past conference programs:
ICCS 2004 | ICCS 2002 | ICCS 2000 | ICCS 1998 | ICCS 1997
Conference Aims:
To investigate those properties or characteristics common to complex systems, and
To encourage cross fertilization among the many disciplines involved
Conference Themes
Complex systems research in all areas
Networks & Structural Themes
In recent years, understanding the structure and function of complex networks has become the foundation for explaining many different real-world complex biological, technological and informal social phenomena. Techniques from statistical physics have been successfully applied to the analysis of these networks, and have uncovered surprising topological properties that have also been shown to have a major effect on their functionality, dynamics, robustness, and fragility. This conference will bring together the latest research and practice on the emerging science of complex networks.Topics include but are not limited to studies on:
Topological properties of networks
Growth of networks
Community structure
Dynamical processes on networks
Search and distributed computation on networks
Competition of evolving networks
Stability of networks
Optimization approaches on networks
Networks in biology - gene regulation, metabolic, ..., ecology and evolution
Networks in society - formal and informal social networks, technological networks
Networks in engineering
Spatial networks
Games on networks
Visualization of networks
Systems biology
High throughput data and theoretical modeling are combining to create new opportunities for systems understanding in biology. In addition to the comprehensiveness of genome-scale analysis of molecular pathways and networks, we are particularly interested in building toward an understanding of living systems at all scales and levels of organization. This will include aspects such as: emergence of higher-order (system-level) features, pattern formation, multiscale representation, etc. You are invited to submit abstracts/papers in experimental and theoretical areas of systems biology. Topics include but are not limited to studies on:System levels
DNA/Protein sequence analysis: genome-scale comparative analysis, motifs, evolution
Regulatory pathways/circuits: stochastic simulation; deterministic, non-linear dynamics, in situ pathway visualization
Molecular networks: topology (global structure, local motifs) and dynamics
Cell and organismal physiology: Cell migration, Multi-cell behavior, Systems control, Homeostasis and disease, Scaling laws
Development: Spatiotemporal patterns, devlopmental constraints, robustness
Behavior: brain and behavior, group dynamics
Population and evolutionary dynamics
Concepts
Robustness and Control
Noise, Oscillations, Chaos
Fractals, power laws, Time series
Multiscale modeling
Tools
Genomics and Proteomics techniques
Databases, data mining, analysis and visualization tools
In situ imaging techniques (microscopic and macroscopic)
Socio-economic systems
There have been increasing interdisciplinary efforts to model and understand fundamental aspects of complex social and economic systems using tools from a variety of disciplines, including physics, computer science and network theory. Examples of topics pertinent to this section areTraffic (automotive, pedestrian, information)
Stock and commodity markets
Economic development and macroeconomics
Urban planning
Models of epidemics
Counter-terrorism and security
Voting and opinion dynamics
Memetics
Negotiation and coordination
We also welcome the presentation of new methods and tools applicable to these problems, including
Agent-based models
Cellular automata
AI approaches
Game theory
Network analysis
Time-series analysis and prediction
Analytic methods
Engineering systems
Characteristics of Complex Engineered Systems
Modularity and industrial evolution; Non-linear and chaotic dynamics of engineered systems; Robustness, vulnerability and failure in CES; Self-similarity, critical phenomena, and power laws in CESNetworks in Complex Engineered Systems
Network dynamics in CES; Scale-free and small-world networks; Effect of connectivity on CES performance; Robustness and vulnerability in networked complex systemsCES Paradigms Based on Natural Systems
Biomorphic networks (Neural nets, artificial immune systems, etc.); Evolutionary approaches; Collective intelligence; Amorphous computing; Swarm robotics; Self-configuring robots, Animats/biomorphic robots; Self-organized sensor networksCES Paradigms Based on Human Systems
Game-theoretic paradigms; Economic paradigms; Social paradigms.Product Design and Development
Complexity-related methodologies in product development; Cooperative workgroups for collaborative product designManaging Complex Engineered Systems
Emergent/self-organized control methods for CES; Human-Computer Interactions; Managing the risk of CES accidents; Managing the risk of vulnerability to targeted attackEthical, Social, Economic and Political Dimensions of CES
Accountability and responsibility in self-organized, decentralized systems; Dissociation of ownership and control in CES; Security in networked complex systems; Effect of CES paradigms on classical socioeconomic and political models; Resource utilization and costs in CES; Potential hazards of autonomous, adaptive complex systems to human societySpecific Complex Engineering Systems
Ecology of the World Wide Web, Collaborating Distributed Micro-satellites, Smart Materials and Structures, Smart Retailing and Warehousing Environments, Intelligent Traffic Networks, Tissue Engineering
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
Analysis and Expression in the Arts and Humanities
Special Conference Sessions:
GLOBAL SYSTEMS:
This year's conference has a special focus day (Friday) and additional presentations throughout the week on global systems. Speakers, among others, are Steve Blount, head of Global Health at CDC, Dixie Snider, the chief scientist of the CDC, Frannie Leautier, the head of the World Bank Institute and VP of the World Bank, Hayward Alker, political scientist at USC, and Adm. Hogg, Director of the CNO Strategic Studies Group. Topics of presentations of interest include, but are not restricted to:Socio-economic systems, including global development
Peace and conflict, including international security
Environmental concerns, including global warming
Health, including pandemics
EVOLUTION AND ALTRUISM:
Advances in our understanding of the evolutionary origins of altruism and collective behaviors will be discussed at the conference in multiple sessions. Keynotes will be given by E.O. Wilson and David Sloan Wilson.HOMELAND & INTERNATIONAL SECURITY:
International terrorism, pandemics, and natural disasters are leading to a broad need for scientific complex systems based strategies. The Complex Systems community should respond by providing new insights tools and approaches informing policy, preparation and action. Sessions topics include, but are not restricted to:Modeling and simulation of attacks, pandemics and disasters
Critical infrastructure protection
Network analysis of terrorism
Social processes of radical movements supporting terrorism
Analysis of effective and ineffective crisis response
Network analysis of transnational emergency response
Among the speakers addressing this topic are Lt. Gen. Pat Hughes, Former director of DIA, Pete Gallant, Director of Global Security, World Bank, as well as speakers in the Global Systems program (see above).
EDUCATING ABOUT COMPLEX SYSTEMS:
The major advances in complex systems research have led to increasing interest in developing educational programs that train students to think about the rich and sometimes difficult concepts of complex systems. We will have sessions on how to teach complex systems concepts. Contributions about all levels of education are welcome.EDUCATION SYSTEM REFORM:
Frustrations about the education system and existing efforts at reform are leading to a need for complex systems insights on education system reform. A special session or multiple sessions will address this topic.SCIENCE FICTION:
We are organizing special sessions on the exploration of complex systems concepts in the science fiction literature. Jonathan Vos Post (webmaster of magicdragon.com) will be chairing this conference thread including participation of Hugo & Nebula Award winner David Brin and other science fiction writers. Science fiction stories and novels explore our ideas about phy-bio-socio-tech relationships. They are not as much about the future as much as they are about our understanding of what is possible. Such explorations probe our understanding about the dependencies between environment, technology, biology and society. If we understand what possible social systems are, we have understood much about the nature of such systems. Similarly for biological systems, or combinations of biology and society, and so on. The synergy between this exploration and the study of complex systems should be apparent and we look forward to a fruitful dialog.BIODIVERSITY, SPECIATION AND ECOLOGY:
Increasingly the discussion of evolutionary change is coupled to our understanding of ecological systems. Among the topics of interest are biodiversity, spatial populations, conservation, species vulnerability, speciation, and major evolutionary transitions.BIOMEDICAL SIMULATION AND SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY:
We will be conducting one or more sessions on the macro and micro level modeling, design, synthesis, and novel utilization of existing biological systems, the modeling of physiological systems, and the development of new approaches to biomedical research.