Cooperation in a research focus area: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
Cooperation in a research focus area: ‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts’
On 1 April 2014, a new research focus area was introduced: ‘Foundations of Complex Systems’, in which fundamental research and applied sciences are combined. The initiators of this research focus area, Henk Stoof (Physics), Hans Heesterbeek (Veterinary Medicine) and ambassador Henk Dijkstra (IMAU) explain how the research focus area was started and how their special interfaculty cooperation works. The kick-off is scheduled for this 3 July and will consists of a symposium for staff and students of Utrecht ľϸӰ.
At the end of 2013, it was announced that the Executive Board had named 11 new research focus areas, including Foundations of Complex Systems. The university’s research focus areas are viewed as breeding grounds for multidisciplinary cooperation. Henk Dijkstra, Professor of Dynamic Oceangraphy at the IMAU explains: “Researchers in this research focus area work with complex systems. Within these complex systems, small changes may have huge consequences. Take the build-up of traffic: if all cars drive at the same speed, many of them can use one and the same motorway. However, since everyone reacts to each other, small disruptions may have major consequences such as the build-up of traffic, even when no car accidents have occurred. Another example is a sudden change on the stock market, the spread of opinions in society or the origin of an epidemic.”
Laws
Henk Stoof, Professor of Theoretical Physics: “Complex systems play a major role in the world around us, but basically have the same mathematical and physical laws. Fundamental sciences therefore have a wide array of theoretical knowledge of complex systems as well as experience with scrutinising these systems. We find it important to make a connection to the more applied and social based sciences, such as epidemiology. Hans Heesterbeek, Professor of Theoretical Epidemiology, has worked on successful collaborative projects with mathematicians in the area of disease transmission, and has now proved to be a sound partner in Complex Systems. Henk Dijkstra, on the other hand, takes the climate approach to complex systems.”
Unite and inspire
Hans Heesterbeek: “In Complex Systems, people are working together who usually have nothing to do with each other at the university. Complex systems are the driving force behind many of the current social challenges in the area of climate change, health care and the economy. They therefore require multidisciplinary solutions. Biologists or economists will not succeed on their own, which brings forth a need for new alliances. To the outsider, it may appear that we are studying entirely different processes, but there is, in fact, a strong coherence. And what is better than combining all of our work and inspiring each other to come up with new ideas and insights?” Henk Stoof: “The strength of this research focus area lies in the fact that we can operate across the full spectrum, because the university has so many different disciplines. This is what makes us unique in the Netherlands.”
Sum of its parts
In the new research focus area, much emphasis is placed on education in order to stimulate students to look beyond the borders of their discipline. Hans Heesterbeek: “In their academic education, we want to explain to students that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Studying complex systems together from various disciplines yields more than studying them separately and alone. We want to teach students that cooperation has added value. After all, some things can only be understood by looking at the bigger picture.”
Symposium on 3 July
The new research focus area has its kick-off on 3 July, which will comprise a symposium “Complex Systems studies at Utrecht ľϸӰ”. A great many scientists will present their work in the area of complex systems at the symposium. The central theme of this first meeting of the research focus area is future options for cooperation. Hans Heesterbeek: “Our goal is to realise a unique alliance with all seven faculties of Utrecht ľϸӰ within just a few years.”
People are free to register for the symposium, which is open to all staff and students of Utrecht ľϸӰ.