| A Network of Excellence on Complexity is proposed, aiming to foster multidisciplinary approaches to various aspects of complexity, basic as well as applicative. This will be done by a capillary diffusion of complexity concepts and by bringing together excellent scientists with a manifold of backgrounds (community building) by providing a stimulating, efficient infrastructure for complexity research and for closer relations of basic research with areas of application, not only in science but in business, industry and government. Specific goals of the Network are to:
i)create a bridge between complexity theory and the full spectrum of "real life" complex systems, by mutual transfer of concepts, methods, paradigms and open problems, and by exposing each community to the other;
ii)disseminate complexity culture in the context of decision making, management, production;
iii)assess the state of the art and draw a "complexity focus document" for future developments.
OBJECTIVES
Objectives of the NoE are:
1)Improve the viability of complexity theory methods in scientific disciplines as well as in business and socio-economic applications fostering at the same time its development at basic level. The NoE aims to the widest circulation of ideas, establishing a creative environment that give rise to novel conceptual advances and to effective applications;
2)Disseminate knowledge, across the communities of: computer scientists, physicists, technologists, mathematicians, biologists on one side and business and administration, industry and government agencies on the other. Information will be made available through electronic communication channels;
3)Assess where the body of knowledge stands now, what has still to be done identifying the practicable ways forward and what are relevant fields of applications, in view of the gap, still large, between the conceptual and the operational levels; between the different rooting complexity has in the natural sciences and in the socio-economic environment.
In particular in the context of IST this NoE aims on the one hand to putting the strong links between complexity and information theory, on the other hand to fostering a better understanding of what implications developments in IT will have on the societal structure.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
Work will be organised in an articulated set of six workpackages aimed to different yet correlated tasks:
WP1 aims to establishing relations, through specific seminars, meetings, exchange of information, design of joint research projects, with industry, business and -government- decision makers;
WP2 is designed to improve complex systems methods at a fundamental level as well as their diffusion in a larger European community including scientists and pratictioneers. This will be reached by the organisation of long duration Thematic Institutes, occasions for extended encounters and joint research focussed on broad areas of complexity and its applicative aspects. Expected result is the creation of a better homogeneised "complexity community";
WP3 plans to convene Complex Systems methodologists and topical domain experts (Single Interest Groups) to meet and exchange on specific applications of complex systems in specialistic workshops;
WP4 will establish and maintain an Electronic Information Infrastructure to support the efficient service of all the NoE objectives. The centrepiece will be a comprehensive Web site, through which electronic information concerning the discipline (and of course the project) will be distributed, exchanged and disseminated. An electronic preprint archive will be established;
WP5 focusses on establishing and maintaining a "Complexity Focus document" to serve NoE objectives, in particular that of planning for the future, by pursuing assessment objectives with the contribution of all NoE members and editing by professionals;
WP6 task is to guarantee the success of the project through efficient and effective management of the resources allocated to it, together with the achievement of agreed objectives. The Work-Package covers as well the administration and distribution of necessary funding to the various Work Package coordinators to support the three main NoE objectives. |