Program Overview
June 13 - July 11, 2021
The SFI Complex Systems Summer School (CSSS) offers an intensive 4-week introduction to complex behavior in mathematical, physical, living, and social systems. Lectures are taught by the faculty of the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) and other leading educators and scholars. The school is for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and professionals seeking to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries, take intellectual risks, and ask big questions about complex systems.
The program consists of an intensive series of lectures, labs, and discussions focusing on foundational concepts, tools, and current topics in complexity science. These include nonlinear dynamics, scaling theory, information theory, adaptation and evolution, networks, machine learning, agent-based models, and other topical areas and case studies. Participants collaborate in developing novel research projects throughout the four weeks of the program that culminate in final presentations and papers.
"I learned that science is so much bigger than the field I work on. One theme definitely stands out, which is to build interesting frameworks/generative models; this was very prevalent amongst the participants and something that is missing in my field, where people are mostly busy with fitting off-the-shelf statistical models. I walked away with a lot of enthusiasm and the conviction that one should go for the big questions, be bold, have fun and play."
- Participant, 2018 CSSS Cohort
Fees
Tuition for the program for academic participants (i.e. students, post-docs or faculty) is $4,500. Tuition for professional/corporate participants is $6,000. Tuition covers participation, course materials, accommodations, and meals. Students are responsible for their travel costs and any visa costs.
After being accepted, students are expected to seek financial support for tuition from their home institutions, departments, or other sources. SFI is happy to provide supporting information about CSSS to accompany such requests or applications. A limited amount of tuition assistance may be available for students with exceptional need who have demonstrated a substantial effort to obtain outside support.
Venue
Institute of American Indian Arts Campus (Photos: IAIA)
The summer school is housed at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The campus is located in a beautiful Southwest high desert setting with mountain views, extensive walking trails, and quiet places for contemplation.
IAIA gives the program a retreat atmosphere that provides students with an opportunity to focus on the challenging topics covered in lectures and to develop group projects applying complex systems methodology. IAIA's conference facilities are modern and comfortable offering students multiple meeting rooms for collaboration. The residential facilities offer single and double rooms with ensuite baths. Access to IAIA's newly opened recreational facilities is included. Food is provided by Bon Appetit, which is the caterer for the Santa Fe Opera. Downtown Santa Fe is a twenty-minute drive from the campus and offers a wide variety of museums, art galleries, culinary delights, and architectural charm. There is also the possibility to explore New Mexico via day and weekend trips.
Summer School will also convene at the Santa Fe Institute during the program.
In a beautiful setting, surrounded by the mountains of New Mexico where each sunrise and sunset is like a piece of art, you learn from the best of the best teachers who inspire you to be more than you dreamed of and interact with a cohort of other bright students. - Participant, 2019 CSSS cohort
Participants
2019 CSSS Cohort
The school lives up to its promised intensity; you are surrounded by so many passionate people that it's possible to never stop having interesting conversations for the entire month. It creates an environment for truly accelerated learning, and it does so in part by bringing a diverse group of open-minded, passionate, and engaging people together for the common purpose of learning from and creating with each other. - Participant, 2019 CSSS cohort
Eligibility
CSSS students work on group projects at the Santa Fe Insitute
Applications are accepted from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and professionals in any discipline. Proficiency in English and some background in science or mathematics are required. We welcome applicants from fields not traditionally represented in complex systems (eg. the humanities or visual and performing arts) who feel their work draws on or is related to the study of complex systems.
Participants are expected to attend the entire session.
Applicants are welcome from all countries. Women and members of underrepresented groups and institutions are especially encouraged to apply.
Application Requirements (Sorry, we are not taking applications for 2021 CSSS)
In addition to completing an online application, please provide:
- A current CV or resume. Include a clear description of your current educational or professional status, and a list of publications, if any.
- A statement that describes your research interests, and your interest in attending the summer school (maximum 2 pages).
- Two (2) letters of recommendation: one from a professor or supervisor and one from a collaborator (see application for details). Note: The letters should be sent independently of your application. Please inform your recommenders that an email from 'noreply@mail.smapply.io' will be sent to them with instructions for uploading their letter of reference into your application file. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the letters have been submitted by the deadline.
To Apply (Sorry, we are not taking applications for 2021 CSSS)
Online applications will open in October 2019, and close at 11:59 PM MST January 21, 2020. Please start your application now to meet the deadline. Applicants should be notified by e-mail regarding the status of their applications sometime in February 2020.