i-CONN · Interdisciplinary connectivity: Understanding and managing complex systems using connectivity science

Interdisciplinary connectivity: Understanding and managing complex systems using connectivity science

Science and social science disciplines study complex systems, where overarching phenomena occur as the result of interactions between component parts of the system, be they galaxies or people. The study of connectivity – a branch of network science - focuses on quantifying and improving understanding of the interactions of the elements of a system. Connectivity has gained growing relevance over recent years, increasingly applied to better understand the structure and function of complex systems which display such features as emergence and non-linear behaviour. Whilst previous connectivity research has evolved within the confines of disciplinary boundaries, similarities in the concept and its application among disciplines are also evident. In i-CONN we exploited synergies among different conceptualisations and applications of connectivity, to create a unity of intellectual frameworks, allowing us to understand, and manage complex systems, ranging from social-ecological systems to brain dynamics. Through real-world applications, involving partners and stakeholders such as national Environment Agencies and National Parks, applications of connectivity can play a pivotal role with key societal benefits. For example, we have studied the sources and pathways of pollutants in the water supply chain and across the landscape, that can inform intervention measures. By studying temporal changes in aquatic habitat connectivity for benthic macroinvertebrates and local changes in connectivity induced by river restoration, we can evaluate the success of river-floodplain restoration. The work undertaken within i-CONN has been structured around key themes of structures and properties, network graphs, common methods, critical nodes and resources and resilience. i-CONN brought together researchers from diverse disciplines to identify common theoretical frameworks and methods that we applied across these diverse disciplines. As a key part of this work, we have trained a group of researchers who will emerge as connectivity scientists able to apply connectivity to many research problems, irrespective of the discipline in which the problem exists. The overall objectives of i-CONN were to: 1) develop the theoretical underpinning of connectivity science for applications in complex systems; 2) develop a unified framework of methods and approaches that can be applied across disciplines; and 3) explore applications of connectivity science to understand, adapt to, and manage, complex systems.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз