What is emergence, after all?
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/5/2/pgag010/8429832.
In this perspective paper, I clarify the scientific meaning of emergence as a measurable and physically grounded phenomenon. Through concrete examples, such as temperature, magnetism, and herd immunity in social networks, I review how collective behavior can arise from local interactions that are constrained by global boundaries. By refining the concept of emergence, it is possible to gain a clearer and more grounded understanding of complex systems. My goal is to show that emergence, when properly framed, offers not mysticism, but rather insight.
Science is compatible with a form of pluralism that affirms the reality of higher-level causal powers. The word “emergence” is widely used in the field of complex systems. While vague or mystical references to emergence may sound compelling, selling complexity science by mystifying emergence and invoking some spiritual dimensions is a great disservice.
https://academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/article/5/2/pgag010/8429832.
In this perspective paper, I clarify the scientific meaning of emergence as a measurable and physically grounded phenomenon. Through concrete examples, such as temperature, magnetism, and herd immunity in social networks, I review how collective behavior can arise from local interactions that are constrained by global boundaries. By refining the concept of emergence, it is possible to gain a clearer and more grounded understanding of complex systems. My goal is to show that emergence, when properly framed, offers not mysticism, but rather insight.
Science is compatible with a form of pluralism that affirms the reality of higher-level causal powers. The word “emergence” is widely used in the field of complex systems. While vague or mystical references to emergence may sound compelling, selling complexity science by mystifying emergence and invoking some spiritual dimensions is a great disservice.
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Spin Glass Concepts in Computer Science, Statistics, and Learning
Spin glass theory studies the structure of sublevel sets and minima (or near-minima) of certain classes of random functions in high dimension. Near-minima of random functions also play an important role in high-dimensional statistics and statistical learning, where minimizing the empirical risk (which is a random function of the model parameters) is the method of choice for learning a statistical model from noisy data. Finally, near-minima of random functions are obviously central to average-case analysis of optimization algorithms. Computer science, statistics, and machine learning naturally lead to questions that are traditionally not addressed within physics and mathematical physics. I will try to explain how ideas from spin glass theory have seeded recent developments in these fields.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.23326
Spin glass theory studies the structure of sublevel sets and minima (or near-minima) of certain classes of random functions in high dimension. Near-minima of random functions also play an important role in high-dimensional statistics and statistical learning, where minimizing the empirical risk (which is a random function of the model parameters) is the method of choice for learning a statistical model from noisy data. Finally, near-minima of random functions are obviously central to average-case analysis of optimization algorithms. Computer science, statistics, and machine learning naturally lead to questions that are traditionally not addressed within physics and mathematical physics. I will try to explain how ideas from spin glass theory have seeded recent developments in these fields.
https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.23326
arXiv.org
Spin Glass Concepts in Computer Science, Statistics, and Learning
Spin glass theory studies the structure of sublevel sets and minima (or near-minima) of certain classes of random functions in high dimension. Near-minima of random functions also play an...
Network Modeling and Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Correlations in Multivariate Time Series
https://vimeo.com/1170388794
https://vimeo.com/1170388794
Vimeo
Network Modeling and Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Correlations in Multivariate Time Series
Binghamton Center of Complex Systems (CoCo) Seminar March 4, 2026 Amanda Goodrick (Mathematics and Statistics, Slippery Rock University) "Network Modeling and…
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3rd European Summer Program in Infectious Disease Analysis and Modelling (ESPIDAM)
Time: June 22-26, 2026
Location: Stockholm University, Sweden
Registration: Is now open. Early bird registration to March 31. Registration closes May 31.
Suitable participants: PhD students, PostDocs, Public Health scientists and others interested
Structure: The summer program consists of 8 course modules, 4 the first half week and 4 the second half week. Participants can register to one or two modules.
More information: www.su.se/math/espidam
Time: June 22-26, 2026
Location: Stockholm University, Sweden
Registration: Is now open. Early bird registration to March 31. Registration closes May 31.
Suitable participants: PhD students, PostDocs, Public Health scientists and others interested
Structure: The summer program consists of 8 course modules, 4 the first half week and 4 the second half week. Participants can register to one or two modules.
More information: www.su.se/math/espidam
Nicole’s guide to writing research statements
https://quantumfrontiers.com/2025/08/10/nicoles-guide-to-writing-research-statements/
https://quantumfrontiers.com/2025/08/10/nicoles-guide-to-writing-research-statements/
Quantum Frontiers
Nicole’s guide to writing research statements
Sunflowers are blooming, stores are trumpeting back-to-school sales, and professors are scrambling to chart out the courses they planned to develop in July. If you’re applying for an academic job t…
Stochastic_processes_and_statistical_methods_in_mathematical_biology.pdf
85.6 KB
#PhD student in Mathematical Statistics
https://su.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:911059/type:job/where:4/apply:1
The Department of Mathematics of Stockholm University is hiring a PhD student to work on stochastic processes and/or statistical methods in mathematical biology
https://su.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:911059/type:job/where:4/apply:1
The Department of Mathematics of Stockholm University is hiring a PhD student to work on stochastic processes and/or statistical methods in mathematical biology
The Master's programme Complex Systems and Policy (CS&P) offers a unique approach to future-focused policymaking.
https://www.uva.nl/en/programmes/masters/complex-systems-and-policy/complex-systems-and-policy.html?cb
https://www.uva.nl/en/programmes/masters/complex-systems-and-policy/complex-systems-and-policy.html?cb
University of Amsterdam
Master's Complex Systems and Policy
The Master's programme Complex Systems and Policy (CS&P) aims to equip you with the tools to navigate and address complex societal challenges about health and sustainability and cooperate with different stakeholders.
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