Cambridge Colloquium on Complexity and Social Networks (CCCSN)

COMPLEXITY THEORY
Complexity theory involves the study of systems of actors that interact in a decentralized fashion, yielding (sometimes) surprising non-linear emergent behavior at the systemic level. A classic example of this is Schelling’s work on segregation, which illustrated that mild preferences of individuals to be with like others could yield highly segregated social systems (Click for simulations). Applications of complexity theory often involve agent-based simulation models—which incorporate simple ideas about agent behavior and interaction in order to examine resulting systemic patterns. These ideas around emergent phenomena crystallized in multiple disciplines—both scientific and social scientific— in the 1970s and 1980s.

For useful overviews see:

• Lars-Erik Cederman, “Computational Models of Social Forms: Advancing Process Theory,” American Journal of Sociology, 2005
• Michael Macy, Robb Willer, “From Factors to Actors: Computational Sociology and Agent-Based Modeling,” Annual Review of Sociology, 2002

Key centers for complexity research include the following:

• The Santa Fe Institute: Founded in 1984, the Santa Fe Institute is the granddaddy of centers for complexity research. It holds two summer schools, one in Santa Fe, and one in China.
• The Center for the Study of Complex Systems at the University of Michigan: The University of Michigan had many of the key early figures involved in the development of complexity theory, leading to the founding of this Center in 1995.
• The Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems: This is a recent initiative by Northwestern to pull together researchers from multiple disciplines at the University who work on complexity-related topics.

Also see:

• The Center for Social Complexity, George Mason University
• Center for Complex Adaptive Agent Systems Simulation, Argonne National Laboratory
• The Cambridge Colloquium on Complexity and Social Networks at Harvard:
• The Trans-Atlantic Initiative on Complex Organizations and Networks at ETH-Zurich
• The Center for Computational Analysis of Social and Organizational Systems (CASOS) at Carnegie Mellon
• Agent-Based Computational Economics Research Area at Iowa State University
  

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