About NECSI
| For over 10 years, The New England Complex Systems Institute (NECSI) has been instrumental in the development of complex systems science and its applications. NECSI conducts research, education, knowledge dissemination, and community development around the world for the promotion of the study of complex systems and its application for the betterment of society. NECSI was founded by faculty of New England area academic institutions in 1996 to further international research and understanding of complex systems. Complex systems is a new field of science that aims to understand how parts of a system give rise to the system’s collective behaviors, and how it interacts with its environment. These questions can be studied in general, and they are also relevant to all traditional fields of science. Social systems formed (in part) out of people, the brain formed out of neurons, molecules formed out of atoms, and the weather formed from air flows are all examples of complex systems. The field of complex systems intersects all traditional disciplines of physical, biological and social sciences, as well as engineering, management, and medicine. Advanced education in complex systems attracts professionals, as complex systems science provides practical approaches to health care, social networks, ethnic violence, marketing, military conflict, education, systems engineering, international development and terrorism. The study of complex systems is about understanding indirect effects. Problems we find difficult to solve have causes and effects that are not obviously related. Pushing on a complex system "here" often has effects "over there" because the parts are interdependent. This has become more and more apparent in our efforts to solve societal problems or avoid ecological disasters caused by our own actions. The field of complex systems provides a number of sophisticated tools, some of them conceptual helping us think about these systems, some of them analytical for studying these systems in greater depth, and some of them computer based for describing, modeling or simulating them. NECSI research develops basic concepts and formal approaches as well as their applications to real world problems. To date, the contributions of NECSI researchers include studies of networks, agent-based modeling, multiscale analysis and complexity, chaos and predictability, evolution, ecology, biodivesity, altruism, systems biology, cellular response, health care, systems engineering, negotiation, military conflict, ethnic violence, and international development. NECSI uses many modes of education to further the investigation of complex systems. Throughout the year, classes, seminars, conferences and programs assist students and professionals alike in their understanding of complex systems. Courses have been taught all over the world: Australia, Canada, China, Colombia , France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Russia and many states of the U.S. NECSI also sponsors postdoctoral fellows, provides research resources, and hosts the International Conference on Complex Systems, discussion groups and web resources. The New England Complex Systems Institute is comprised of a general staff, a faculty of associated professors, students, postdoctoral fellows, a planning board, affiliates and sponsors. The institute was formed as a joint effort by faculty of many universities to transcend departmental boundaries and coordinate research efforts. NECSI works closely with faculty of MIT, Harvard and Brandeis Universities. Affiliates teach and work at many other national and international locations. NECSI promotes the international community of researcher and welcomes broad participation in its activities and programs. Contact Information 24 Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138 |