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WP # 11: Connecting existing research/education Programs

WP11 Connecting research and PhD programs. On one hand complexity as such is very much an outsider in most of the European universities including many of the ones participating in the STREPs. On the other hand, research programs that have been produced under various umbrellas are relevant to complexity and may contribute to the STREPs. We propose to make a systematic search and identify complexity activities. Funding and arrangements is provided for Complexity researchers to actually travel and participate in such programs and courses at least among the STREP participants. Also we try, at least within the STREPs participant universities to make arrangements for recognizing “foreign” complexity courses for credit. Having itinerant researchers between the STREP participants contributes not only to their careers but also to the integration across the Complexity Pathfinder and across the various application domains. We support the logistics related with having common junior researchers travel between various STREPs and insuring thereby the transfer and fusion of their expertise. We aim at having most of the STREPs research institutes being engaged in these exchanges of personnel by 2007. We construct an (internet available) catalogue of (ranked) programs from these various institutions.

Leading institutions

ISI - FONDAZIONE ISI - TORINO, ITALY

ULG - UNIVERSITE DE LIEGE - LIEGE BELGIUM

WP leaders

Prof. Sorin Solomon giacs05@gmail.com

Dr. Tiziana Bertoletti giacs@isi.it

Dr Marcel Ausloos marcel.ausloos@ulg.ac.be

Objectives

This work package has two principle aims:

  1. survey the principal centers of expertise across the EU where complexity is prominent and specially the STREPs
  2. define uniform conditions across the STREPs and their environment for the training of young researchers in new and important methods of ‘complexity’ that is de facto a multidisciplinary activity bridging a number of well-established and traditional subjects.

Our overall aim is to help young researchers of today identify within the Complexity Pathfinder a clear, coherent and well defined route into the science of complexity and its application across both the natural and socio-economic domains.

Description of work

The work is undertaken in a series of steps. An Internet search is used to identify complexity activities: research, training, courses etc. Contact is made with STREP members other colleagues and contacts known to be involved with the area of complexity. This leads to a catalogue of research activities, training and courses offered by universities across Europe within a range of different disciplines especially in the STREPs interest areas. The multidisciplinary aspects are examined in some detail. It is from these in areas such as environment, health, the socioeconomic sciences, arts and humanities that we perceive the greatest opportunities.

This survey is followed up by a scoping and attitude survey designed to elicit more detail from the Institutions involved. This survey is of a quantitative nature and use electronic media such as the one developed at WP10. Guidance to the respondees will be given as they make their reply such that quantitative comparisons can be made across Institutions. The questionnaire is developed with input from professional psychologists and pilot tested with a small number of colleagues prior to sending to other persons and groups. Telephone contact and additional site visits will be used as appropriate to help with further clarification.

The results of the survey are drawn together as a draft report and used as the basis for a seminar/ workshop to obtain additional feedback from interested parties. The position of the STREP’s in the larger European Complexity landscape is being established. In drawing such a survey together, we include observations based on the methodology used within the UK for assessment of university that enable quantitative comparisons and observations to be made of the different courses available.

Deliverables