About COSNet
'characterising and analysing complex systems for explanation, prediction and control'
Vision: Complexity is the common frontier in the physical, biological and social sciences. This Network will link specialists in all three sciences through five generic conceptual and mathematical theme activities. It will promote research into how subsystems self-organise into new emergent structures when assembled into an open, non-equilibrium system. Outcomes will include new technologies and software tools and deeper understanding of fundamental questions in science. An essential function of the network will be introducing researchers and end users to new tools and broadening the horizons of graduate students. The Australian Research Council (ARC) has provided c. AUD 300,000 per annum for five years to the Network (beginning mid 2004) in support of this vision. For a fuller summary of the proposal, click on Vision in the menu to the left.
Joining: Currently COSNet has over 600 participants from all parts of Australia, and across the globe. If you are already a participant please check your profile. If you are not already a participant and would like to apply to join COSNet click on Joining in the menu on the left and follow the instructions.
Who we are and what we do:
- This searchable web site plays a key role by providing information exchange and contacts between participants through the various sections on the menu to the left, in particular by providing a personal profile page for each member of the Network in the Participants section. You can help by keeping your profile page up-to-date and sending the COSNet Manager feedback and information, such as Events and Jobs to be advertised. There is also a Wiki section you can help build in a hands-on way.
- Keep an eye on the News page for recent items of interest. An overview of COSNet activities can be gained from the Annual Reports and the 2006 COSNet Forum page.
- Categories eligible for COSNet funding are
- Sponsorship of conferences, workshops, summer and winter schools and short courses held in Australia and organized by COSNet Participants
- Travel Grants for attending COSNet sponsored conferences, workshops, summer and winter schools and short courses held in Australia
- Travel Grants for conducting collaborative research within Australia by a Postgraduate Student or Early Career Researcher (within 5 years of award of PhD degree)
- Travel Grants for conducting collaborative research within Australia by a Researcher
- Overseas Travel Grants for conducting collaborative research with overseas colleagues, for attending approved summer or winter schools or short courses, or for presenting papers at conferences
- Travel Grants for attending a workshop or summer school, or to make a collaborative visit to a reseacher, at the Mathematical Biosciences Institute (MBI), the Ohio State University
- The COSNet Manager is the first point of contact for all matters to do with the Network, such as applications for funding for complex-system-related activities.
- The COSNet Data & Visualisation Officer is available to help diffuse information on complex systems software tools to COSNet participants, and to promote contacts between users of such tools.
- The COSNet Convenor is responsible for overall academic guidance and supervision of the Network.
- The COSNet Node Coordinators are local contacts in the various Nodes of the Network (see also the COSNet Wiki Nodes page). They also provide the main membership of the COSNet Management Committee.
- The End-User Representative, Director of a consulting firm, is also a member of the Management Committee, being responsible for promoting linkages to users of complex systems ideas and methods beyond the academic community.
- The Chair of the COSNet Management Committee provides independent oversight of the Network.
Funded by the Australian Research Council and the Contributing Organisations: The Australian National University, The University of Adelaide and The University of Queensland, in partnership with the CSIRO Complex Systems Science Emerging Science Area. Monash University is also contributing as host of the e-journal Complexity International.