about

With generous support from the University of Michigan Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR), the Program for the Study of Complex Systems was established in 1995 under the directorship of Prof. Robert Savit (Physics), and became a Center in 1999 under the directorship of Prof. Carl Simon (Math, Public Policy). Its more than 50 participating faculty represent nearly every college of the University. More than half of these take an active role in CSCS including participation in grant proposals, research groups and administration. In July 2005, CSCS formally became part of the College of Literature, Sciences and the Arts (LS&A).

Key founding members of CSCS were a now-legendary group of researchers known as the BACH Group. The group began meeting over 20 years ago and is made up of researchers from a variety of disciplines who share an interest in complex adaptive systems of all kinds. The original members were Arthur Burks, Bob Axelrod, Michael Cohen and John Holland (BACH). Besides the original members, the BACH Group has included: William Hamilton (Biology), Douglas Hofstadter (Cognitive Science), Reiko Tanese (Cognitive Science), Michael Savageau (Microbiology), and Melanie Mitchell (Cognitive Science and Computer Science). A photo of the current BACH group appears on our home page. They are: Bob Axelrod (Political Science), Michael Cohen (Information), John Holland (Psychology and EECS), Carl Simon (CSCS, Math and Public Policy), Scott Page (Political Science, CSCS), Mark Newman (Physics, CSCS), Mercedes Pascual (EEB) and Rick Riolo (CSCS).

In addition to the BACH group, there are Primary Complex Systems Faculty who do complex systems research, teach a complex systems course and help administer the Center and Associated Complex Systems Faculty whose research includes complex systems and who occasionally attend CSCS events. Please click on the following links for more information about:

• CSCS Goals
• CSCS Activities
• What is Complexity?
• Information for visitors

The activities of CSCS are driven by the following goals:

• To catalyze and encourage research in complex adaptive systems at the University of Michigan
• To expand and coordinate educational opportunities in complex adaptive systems at UM
• To explore the boundaries and overlaps between the complex systems approach and more traditional approaches within the University and business communities
• To form a community of complex systems researchers and students-both at UM and throughout southeast Michigan
• To enhance the University of Michigan's world-wide reputation in complex systems research and education
• To raise funds through government and foundation grants, private and corporate donations to support CSCS activities.

To accomplish the goals listed above, CSCS has undertaken the following activities:

• A weekly Complex Systems seminar series
• An annual UM-Santa Fe Institute Workshop
• Complex Systems Graduate Certificate Program
• An annual Nobel Symposium
• Regular co-hosting of conferences on complex systems with other research groups on campus
• Regular workshops on complex systems techniques
• A complex systems computer laboratory for teaching and research on agent-based models
• A CSCS web site (www.cscs.umich.edu)
• Complex Systems Advanced Academic Workshop (CSAAW)
• Complex Systems Reading Group (CSRG)
• Support of interdisciplinary faculty research projects
• Coordinated hiring of complex systems faculty in departments across UM
• Development of new initiatives and proposals for external funding from government agencies, private foundations and corporate partners.

For more information about our activities, please click on Research or Events.

Updated February 18, 2006