[emb] COSI Summer School, Baeza, Spain

[Vitorino RAMOS]

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>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 <mailto:morand at irit.fr>morand at irit.fr 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 
<mailto:morand at irit.fr>morand at irit.fr 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).

,

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

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



Best regards

Julie Dugdale

--------------------------

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: dugdale at irit.fr
Phone: +33 (0)5 61 55 77 07
Fax: +33 (0)5 61 55 77 09

-------------------------------

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