Hi Everyone,

We've been having some problems with our web server which means that you may have had problems accessing the COSI website. As a result, I am distributing a second call for participation for the Summer School.

Best regards

Julie Dugdale

Complexity in Social Science (COSI) SUMMER SCHOOL

27th July to 1st August, 2003, Baeza, Andalusia, Spain.

The COSI Summer School is organised by the Computer Architecture and Technology Department (ATC), University of Granada and GRIC-IRIT, Toulouse, France.

Further details of the Summer School:

http://www.irit.fr/COSI/summerschool2/index.html

Introduction

The complexity paradigm is based on a detailed description of the interactions between elements of the system and between the system and its environment, rather than on a purely functional description of building blocks in abstract of its relationship with the external world. When applied to the social sciences this approach allows us to develop new ways of thinking about social processes and complex organisations. Armed with a greater understanding of such situations and with the appropriate tools, we can help to redesign complex socio-organisational systems for greater efficiency and safety.

Aims and Scope

There are four aims to this years Summer School.

• To provide attendees with an introduction into the fundamental concepts of complex systems theory, such as emergence and self-organisation, etc.
• To describe the transition from real social science problems, through field study analysis and model development, to agent-based simulation.
• To investigate deeper theoretical and epistemological issues of complex systems theory via in-depth focused discussion sessions.
• To provide attendees with the practical experience of applying complex systems theory to real work situations. This will be achieved by project case studies where attendees will work in small multi-disciplinary groups covering aspects of field study analysis, design and modelling and computer simulation.

Speakers will investigate the theoretical aspects of complex systems theory and will illustrate its practical application to real problems. Techniques for analysing, modelling and simulating complex social systems will be presented. This years Summer School will strongly encourage the active participation of attendees via poster presentation of students' work, during focused sessions and via group work.

Intended Audience

The Summer School is intended for doctoral students and post- doctoral researchers from all disciplines who are interested in understanding the fundamental concepts of complex systems theory and its practical application in the social sciences. Applicants from all countries are welcome. Applicants will be selected for a place at the summer school based on their CV. If you are interested in attending the Summer School, please complete the on-line registration form and send a CV stating your previous and current experience and research interests electronically to Chantal Morand [log in to unmask] by 12th May 2003. Applicants will be informed of their acceptance by 13th June 2003

Location and Costs

The Summer School will be held at the International University of Andalusia, Baeza, Spain. Baeza is approximately 100 km north of Granada and is in the province of Jaen, a region famous for its abundance of olive trees which dominate the landscape. The building for the Summer School is a converted monastery specifically equipped to handle conferences, Summer Schools and seminars. Transportation between Baeza and both Madrid and Granada airports will be arranged by the Summer School. Attendees will be sent details of transportation arrangements in June.

The Summer School is partially subsidized and the cost of 360 Euros includes tuition, materials, accommodation breakfast and lunch. Accommodation is within the old monastery building and is based on two people sharing a room. If you would like single occupancy, please contact the Summer School Administrator: Chantal Morand [log in to unmask] Attendees must pay for their own travel.

Guest Speakers: Rosaria Conte ( AI, Cognitive and Interaction Modelling Division, Institute of Psychology, Rome, Italy), Vitorino Ramos (Geo-Systems Centre - Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, Portugal), Speaker from GREEN  (Gestion des resources communes – CIRAD, Montpellier, France).

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More information (including on-line registration) can be found on the COSI Summer School Web Pages:

http://www.irit.fr/COSI/summerschool2/index.html

 

Best regards

Julie Dugdale

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Dr Julie Dugdale
GRIC IRIT (Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie Cognitive,
Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse)
UMR 5505 CNRS - INP - UPS. Université Paul Sabatier
118 Route de Narbonne
31062 Toulouse cedex
FRANCE

email: [log in to unmask]
Phone: +33 (0)5 61 55 77 07
Fax: +33 (0)5 61 55 77 09

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Main web page of the COSI project: http://www.irit.fr/COSI/

COSI is coordinated by Bernard PAVARD of GRIC-IRIT (Groupe de Recherche en Ingénierie Cognitive, Instit de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse) UPS-CNRS (UMR 5505) 118, Route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, FRANCE. http://www.irit.fr/GRIC/