SFI Complexity Interactive

In order to be considered for a free ACtioN spot, you must apply directly to the ACtioN department by sending your CV to action@santafe.edu by November 2, 2021. Please do not apply through the Education department.

 

Program Overview

SFI Complexity Interactive (SFI-CI) combines the dynamic interactions of an in-person course with the flexibility to learn from anywhere in the world. This three-week, part-time, online course offers participants a theory- and applications-based view of complexity science. Complexity Interactive provides a foundation for thinking broadly about complex systems, encouraging participants to explore syntheses across systems in an open dialog with SFI faculty. The program's size is limited to ensure everyone has ample opportunity to discuss with faculty and with each other. In 2022, the curriculum will explore scaling, robustness, and feedbacks, with a particular focus on sustainability and climate change.

The goals of this January session of Complexity Interactive are:

• Recognize cross-system regularities that govern complex systems and have a vocabulary for describing those properties 
• Understand the approaches used to understand complex systems and the considerations for employing different approaches
• Work collaboratively to define and address a question in complex systems science
• Expand your global complex systems scientific network

 

Dates, Times, Locations

This online program takes place from January 10th to January 28th, 2022. Live sessions take place Monday through Friday, from 1:00PM - 3:00PM MST. Group discussion and group project work are self-scheduled and/or asynchronous and tend to occupy up to 10 additional hours per week.

SFI-CI takes place online, using Zoom, Discord, Gathertown, and ComplexityExplorer platforms, all of which are available at no cost but may require registration. Access to YouTube will be required to access recorded content.

 

Instructors

The Director of Complexity Interactive is Miguel Fuentes, a member of the external faculty at the Santa Fe Institute. He holds degrees in physics and philosophy of science and is broadly interested in characterizing and understanding complex behaviors of various systems. His recent work looked at the structure of online information during social disintegration to identify signatures of crises. The director is assisted by a Project Coordinator, who will facilitate informal discussions and help guide the group projects.

A complete list of speakers, selected from SFI's extensive research network, will be posted closer to the program start date.

 

Audience

Complexity Interactive is aimed at practicing researchers and leaders from academic, private, non-profit, and government sectors. The curriculum is especially suited to graduate students and postdocs (or those at similar career stages) who wish to develop a more trans-disciplinary approach in their work, as well as those who want a deeper look into the approaches of complex systems science as practiced at SFI.

The SFI-CI team is committed to offering inclusive educational programs in which all participants feel valued and supported in their learning journey. We believe that human diversity in all of its dimensions is essential to meaningful scientific progress. We believe that open discourse and respectful sharing of broad perspectives is essential for understanding our world and worlds beyond. We work to ensure our educational programs reflect and encourage this diversity and inclusivity, and we welcome you to join us.

 

Tuition & Fees

The $500 course fee is waived for ACtioN members who apply directly through ACtioN and are accepted into the program.

 

Application

ACtioN Members have a select number of reserved slots for Complexity Interactive programming as a benefit of membership, and are encouraged to apply. Should more than one person from any ACtioN organization apply, we will reach out to your organization’s primary contact to nominate 1-2 candidates from your organization’s pool of applicants.

 

Note that applications received by our Education department will be considered alongside the general applicant pool and subject to a highly selective application process for full tuition and will not be considered for an ACtioN slot.

If you would like to apply for consideration, please send a CV to action@santafe.edu by November 2, 2021.