Conference: Hidden Connections
Venue: Nanyang Executive Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Address: 60 Nanyang View, Singapore 639673
Synopsis
Complexity is many things to many people: a synonym for what is not understood, an expression of deep intellectual insight, or the promise of solutions to the big problems of our world. In the world of science, complexity typically refers to problems that require us to deal with a sizeable number of factors, which are interrelated in an organic whole.
Complexity has been around since the big bang. So has emergence, the phenomenon that systems behave in ways that cannot be explained by the analysis of its components. Biological and social systems emerged out of dynamic interactions, as did the evolution of language, conflicts and the influence of men on the liveability of his world.
The impact of science is determined by the problems it manages to solve.
Until a few decades ago, science had no ways to solve complex problems. Interdisciplinary science and high-speed computing has started to change that. Yet most complex problems are still beyond the reach of science, as they may always be. Contrary to reductionist sciences that have become the exclusive domain of specialists organized in ever narrower disciplines, the future of complexity science lies in its connectivity with the real world and its capability to solve the problems the world poses to it.
“Hidden Connections” somehow seems to capture the essence of complexity as well as the intuitive sense that we need to understand such connections in order to solve such problems. It also hints at the excitement of finding connections between systems or problems that were previously considered to exist in isolation. This conference will touch on all these aspects and show that they too are connected.
The conference will have twelve unique speakers. All are leaders in their field and will give meaning to complexity from the perspective of their interests and background. Together they cover a broad spectrum of areas, from the role of collaboration to transform social systems, to microbial films, economic complexity, unraveling complexity though computer simulation, language evolution, to governance and the challenges in mastering emergent complexity. To hear the speakers share their insights in complexity and partake in their discussions will be a great experience for all participants to the conference. The setting of the conference is informal. After each talk there will be ample time for the audience and the speakers to discuss and meet.
This is the third conference in what by now has become an annual NTU event, in which some of the best scientists and thinkers in the area of complexity will share their views with you. This conference also marks the launch of the NTU Complexity Institute.
We warmly invite you to actively take part in it.
Videos & Presentation Slides
Jan Wouter Vasbinder – Welcome Remarks
Member of Governing Board, Para Limes
Freddy Boey – Opening Address
Deputy President & Provost, Nanyang Technological University
Launch of the Complexity Institute and Panel Discussion: Hidden Connections
Cheong Siew Ann (Chair)
School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
J. Doyne Farmer
Professor of Mathematics and Co-Director, Complexity Economics, Institute for New Economic Thinking, Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford
Jan Wouter Vasbinder (Chair)
Member of Governing Board, Para Limes
Martin Rees
Astronomer Royal and a Fellow (and former Master) of Trinity College, University of Cambridge
Yeap Su Yin (Chair)
S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University
Adam Kahane
Partner, Reos
George Christopoulos (Chair)
Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University
Chiu Chi-Yue
Professor and Director of Research & PhD Program, Nanyang Business School, Nanyang Technological University
Andrea Nanetti (Chair)
School of Art, Design and Media, Nanyang Technological University
Albrecht von Müller
Director, Parmenides Center for the Study of Thinking, Parmenides Foundation
Su Haibin (Chair)
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University
Arieh Warshel
2013 Nobel Laureate (Chemistry) and Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, University of Southern California
Roland Bouffanais (Chair)
Engineering Product Development (EPD) Pillar, Singapore University of Technology and Design
Ricard Solé
Research Professor, Catalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies and Head of Complex Systems Lab, Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Yilei Zhang (Chair)
School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang Technological University
Staffan Kjelleberg
Director, Singapore Centre on Environmental Life Sciences Engineering
William Clune (Chair)
Sustainable Earth Office, Nanyang Technological University
Ricardo Hausmann
Director, Center for International Development and Professor of the Practice of Economic Development, Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University
Alan Chan (Chair)
College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
William S-Y Wang
Professor, Department of Electronic Engineering and Director, Joint Research Centre for Language and Human Complexity, Chinese University of Hong Kong
Chew Lock Yue (Chair)
School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University
Brian Uzzi
Professor, Kellog School of Management and Co-Director, Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems, Northwestern University
Jan Wouter Vasbinder – Closing Remarks
Member of Governing Board, Para Limes
Date: 3 – 5 March 2014
Venue: Nanyang Executive Centre, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
Address: 60 Nanyang View, Singapore 639673