Complexity Science | University Potsdam
@complexityup.bsky.social
The Complexity Science Group led by Professor Karoline Wiesner at the Institute for Physics and Astronomy at the University Potsdam.
Karoline Wiesner: https://www.karowiesner.org
University Website: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/complexity-science/
Karoline Wiesner: https://www.karowiesner.org
University Website: https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/complexity-science/
A few weeks ago, our group spent a few days at Burg Hohenstein for our annual retreat — great discussions, beautiful surroundings, and a chance to recharge before the new semester! 🧠🏰
November 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
A few weeks ago, our group spent a few days at Burg Hohenstein for our annual retreat — great discussions, beautiful surroundings, and a chance to recharge before the new semester! 🧠🏰
4/6 🧵 The Diffusion map that we've talked about here on Bluesky is one of them.
It reveals that, apparently, political systems behave like physical systems. Countries, over time, form this well-defined map, and their movement across this map can tell a lot about the stability of the regime.
It reveals that, apparently, political systems behave like physical systems. Countries, over time, form this well-defined map, and their movement across this map can tell a lot about the stability of the regime.
June 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
4/6 🧵 The Diffusion map that we've talked about here on Bluesky is one of them.
It reveals that, apparently, political systems behave like physical systems. Countries, over time, form this well-defined map, and their movement across this map can tell a lot about the stability of the regime.
It reveals that, apparently, political systems behave like physical systems. Countries, over time, form this well-defined map, and their movement across this map can tell a lot about the stability of the regime.
3/6 🧵Statistical analysis shows that there are states that differ in election quality, despite having a similar Electoral Democracy Index (EDI, @vdeminstitute.bsky.social).
Differences between autocratic regimes can thus be uncovered.
Differences between autocratic regimes can thus be uncovered.
June 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
3/6 🧵Statistical analysis shows that there are states that differ in election quality, despite having a similar Electoral Democracy Index (EDI, @vdeminstitute.bsky.social).
Differences between autocratic regimes can thus be uncovered.
Differences between autocratic regimes can thus be uncovered.
The #Complexity Science Research Group in Potsdam is specialised in two major fields. One of them is the analysis of politcal systems using tools from . 🧪
1/6 🧵Here's a thread on @karowiesner.bsky.social's research and the many papers she has published on this topic!
1/6 🧵Here's a thread on @karowiesner.bsky.social's research and the many papers she has published on this topic!
June 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
The #Complexity Science Research Group in Potsdam is specialised in two major fields. One of them is the analysis of politcal systems using tools from . 🧪
1/6 🧵Here's a thread on @karowiesner.bsky.social's research and the many papers she has published on this topic!
1/6 🧵Here's a thread on @karowiesner.bsky.social's research and the many papers she has published on this topic!
Living beings rely on one another. One species facing the threat of extinction affects other species as well.
Understanding the extent of ecological damages helps take measures against them.
With low computational costs, this model for the robustness of a #complex system can prove useful in future.
Understanding the extent of ecological damages helps take measures against them.
With low computational costs, this model for the robustness of a #complex system can prove useful in future.
May 26, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Living beings rely on one another. One species facing the threat of extinction affects other species as well.
Understanding the extent of ecological damages helps take measures against them.
With low computational costs, this model for the robustness of a #complex system can prove useful in future.
Understanding the extent of ecological damages helps take measures against them.
With low computational costs, this model for the robustness of a #complex system can prove useful in future.
6/10🧵
As a country goes through political change, it moves along this curve. Its development can be traced, and jumps and static phases linked to real life events and phases!
Using tools from statistical physics, distinct types of behaviour have been identified in the data.
As a country goes through political change, it moves along this curve. Its development can be traced, and jumps and static phases linked to real life events and phases!
Using tools from statistical physics, distinct types of behaviour have been identified in the data.
March 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
6/10🧵
As a country goes through political change, it moves along this curve. Its development can be traced, and jumps and static phases linked to real life events and phases!
Using tools from statistical physics, distinct types of behaviour have been identified in the data.
As a country goes through political change, it moves along this curve. Its development can be traced, and jumps and static phases linked to real life events and phases!
Using tools from statistical physics, distinct types of behaviour have been identified in the data.
5/10🧵
Taking 25 variables out of the V-Dem dataset describing the “democraticness” of each country every year and simplifying them using diffusion to fit in a three-dimensional space, the data forms a curve - not a cloud of points - summarising the whole dataset considered.
Surprising, isn't it?
Taking 25 variables out of the V-Dem dataset describing the “democraticness” of each country every year and simplifying them using diffusion to fit in a three-dimensional space, the data forms a curve - not a cloud of points - summarising the whole dataset considered.
Surprising, isn't it?
March 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
5/10🧵
Taking 25 variables out of the V-Dem dataset describing the “democraticness” of each country every year and simplifying them using diffusion to fit in a three-dimensional space, the data forms a curve - not a cloud of points - summarising the whole dataset considered.
Surprising, isn't it?
Taking 25 variables out of the V-Dem dataset describing the “democraticness” of each country every year and simplifying them using diffusion to fit in a three-dimensional space, the data forms a curve - not a cloud of points - summarising the whole dataset considered.
Surprising, isn't it?
Meet Paula, one of the PhDs in our group! 🧪
Before joining us, she did her Bachelor's in Physics and Master's degree in Physics of Complex Systems and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona.
Now, let's talk about her current #research!
1/10🧵
#WomenInSTEM #SciCom #Complexity
Before joining us, she did her Bachelor's in Physics and Master's degree in Physics of Complex Systems and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona.
Now, let's talk about her current #research!
1/10🧵
#WomenInSTEM #SciCom #Complexity
March 10, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Meet Paula, one of the PhDs in our group! 🧪
Before joining us, she did her Bachelor's in Physics and Master's degree in Physics of Complex Systems and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona.
Now, let's talk about her current #research!
1/10🧵
#WomenInSTEM #SciCom #Complexity
Before joining us, she did her Bachelor's in Physics and Master's degree in Physics of Complex Systems and Biophysics at the University of Barcelona.
Now, let's talk about her current #research!
1/10🧵
#WomenInSTEM #SciCom #Complexity
5/6🧵
Sometimes, the emergent structure isn't obvious on first sight. However, when a system shows a certain regularity in its ongoing development, it is a case of emergence. Phase transitions in materials or the relationship between hunter and prey in nature are examples of this form of emergence.
Sometimes, the emergent structure isn't obvious on first sight. However, when a system shows a certain regularity in its ongoing development, it is a case of emergence. Phase transitions in materials or the relationship between hunter and prey in nature are examples of this form of emergence.
March 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
5/6🧵
Sometimes, the emergent structure isn't obvious on first sight. However, when a system shows a certain regularity in its ongoing development, it is a case of emergence. Phase transitions in materials or the relationship between hunter and prey in nature are examples of this form of emergence.
Sometimes, the emergent structure isn't obvious on first sight. However, when a system shows a certain regularity in its ongoing development, it is a case of emergence. Phase transitions in materials or the relationship between hunter and prey in nature are examples of this form of emergence.
3/6🧵
Emergence can refer to the physical structures that arise at different physical scales. Proteins, for instance, can form more defined and diverse structures the larger they get, eventually forming enzymes with highly specific biochemical functions.
Emergence can refer to the physical structures that arise at different physical scales. Proteins, for instance, can form more defined and diverse structures the larger they get, eventually forming enzymes with highly specific biochemical functions.
March 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
3/6🧵
Emergence can refer to the physical structures that arise at different physical scales. Proteins, for instance, can form more defined and diverse structures the larger they get, eventually forming enzymes with highly specific biochemical functions.
Emergence can refer to the physical structures that arise at different physical scales. Proteins, for instance, can form more defined and diverse structures the larger they get, eventually forming enzymes with highly specific biochemical functions.
During his research on self-reproductive systems like those that can be found in nature, von Neumann defined the first cellular automata.
Different dynamics can arise from the interaction of neighbouring cells that follow a set of behavioural rules, as can be seen in Conway's Game of Life.
Different dynamics can arise from the interaction of neighbouring cells that follow a set of behavioural rules, as can be seen in Conway's Game of Life.
February 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
During his research on self-reproductive systems like those that can be found in nature, von Neumann defined the first cellular automata.
Different dynamics can arise from the interaction of neighbouring cells that follow a set of behavioural rules, as can be seen in Conway's Game of Life.
Different dynamics can arise from the interaction of neighbouring cells that follow a set of behavioural rules, as can be seen in Conway's Game of Life.
A system expressing emergent behaviour is "more than the sum of its parts", as the biologist Bertalanffy determined in his studies of adaptive systems. By trying to find models or principles that would apply to any kind of system, biological or not, he made way for a new way of conducting science.
February 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
A system expressing emergent behaviour is "more than the sum of its parts", as the biologist Bertalanffy determined in his studies of adaptive systems. By trying to find models or principles that would apply to any kind of system, biological or not, he made way for a new way of conducting science.
In the 1940s, Wiener and Rosenblueth coined the term "cybernetics" as the theory of control and communication in living and non-living systems: machines and brains. Concepts of feedback and self-organization were introduced back then, and are still essential in the study of complex systems.
February 13, 2025 at 5:15 PM
In the 1940s, Wiener and Rosenblueth coined the term "cybernetics" as the theory of control and communication in living and non-living systems: machines and brains. Concepts of feedback and self-organization were introduced back then, and are still essential in the study of complex systems.
Hello there!
We're the Complexity Science group at the University of Potsdam, consisting of professor @karowiesner.bsky.social , post-docs, PhDs, as well as master's and bachelor's students and student assistants.
We're the Complexity Science group at the University of Potsdam, consisting of professor @karowiesner.bsky.social , post-docs, PhDs, as well as master's and bachelor's students and student assistants.
February 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Hello there!
We're the Complexity Science group at the University of Potsdam, consisting of professor @karowiesner.bsky.social , post-docs, PhDs, as well as master's and bachelor's students and student assistants.
We're the Complexity Science group at the University of Potsdam, consisting of professor @karowiesner.bsky.social , post-docs, PhDs, as well as master's and bachelor's students and student assistants.
In their book "What Is a Complex System?", @karowiesner.bsky.social and James Ladyman explore the defining features of complexity and methods to measure them.
Stay updated on the latest insights into complexity and Karoline Wiesner's research group by following us!
Stay updated on the latest insights into complexity and Karoline Wiesner's research group by following us!
February 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
In their book "What Is a Complex System?", @karowiesner.bsky.social and James Ladyman explore the defining features of complexity and methods to measure them.
Stay updated on the latest insights into complexity and Karoline Wiesner's research group by following us!
Stay updated on the latest insights into complexity and Karoline Wiesner's research group by following us!
What is a complex system?
#Complexity can be found anywhere from neural networks and ant colonies, to climatic systems and governments. Here, at the University of Potsdam, the research group led by physicist @karowiesner.bsky.social explores ways to quantify and better understand complexity.
#Complexity can be found anywhere from neural networks and ant colonies, to climatic systems and governments. Here, at the University of Potsdam, the research group led by physicist @karowiesner.bsky.social explores ways to quantify and better understand complexity.
February 6, 2025 at 12:27 PM
What is a complex system?
#Complexity can be found anywhere from neural networks and ant colonies, to climatic systems and governments. Here, at the University of Potsdam, the research group led by physicist @karowiesner.bsky.social explores ways to quantify and better understand complexity.
#Complexity can be found anywhere from neural networks and ant colonies, to climatic systems and governments. Here, at the University of Potsdam, the research group led by physicist @karowiesner.bsky.social explores ways to quantify and better understand complexity.