About:

The science of complex systems is transforming science and its role in society. Building on the traditional focus on the parts of systems, the new approach integrates the networks of relationships within and between systems. These relationships are responsible for the collective "emergent" behaviors we see in all physical, biological, socio-economic and technological systems.

Complex systems research can answer questions previously considered outside of the realm of scientific inquiry. This includes using science to understand human behavior, social interactions, and the consequences of policies and decisions of our society.

The New England Complex Systems Institute is at the forefront of this field. We develop new mathematical approaches and apply them to systems of scientific and social importance, such as biodiversity, altruism, ethnic violence, the economic crisis, and the healthcare system.

We use quantitative foundations from physics, mathematics, and computer science, and apply computer simulations and high dimensional data analysis, to characterize the patterns of behaviors in the world around us. Further, we can describe how complex systems arise through evolutionary processes, and how systems become capable of achieving their goals.

Through its research, NECSI is expanding the boundaries of knowledge and reframing social problems as scientific ones. NECSI is an academic non-profit organization working with government agencies and other organizations to solve problems of science and society.