News Archive

Co-hosted by:
Department of Government University College Cork ETHOS Project
Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence, Boston
School of Public Affairs, Penn State, Harrisburg

First Call for Papers and Participants

22-24 June 2005, Cork, Ireland

We are pleased to announce the upcoming two-day Complexity and Policy Analysis workshop scheduled in June (2005) in Cork, Ireland and hosted by The University College Cork Department of Government ETHOS Project (http://www.ucc.ie/acad/govt/ethos), the Institute for the Study of Coherence and Emergence (http://www.isce.edu), and Penn State - Harrisburg with the assistance of ECHO conferences (http://echo-conferences.com). The aim of this meeting is to explore the benefits to policy analysts that might be realized through the fledgling 'science' of complex systems.

Although the effects of policy actions on the future of society are difficult to assess in today's globalized and complex political environment, policy-makers still need to consider the long-term future when deciding how to allocate private and public resources among different policies. This predicament is an instance of decision-making in the presence of complexity and deep uncertainty. Policies framed under such conditions are highly vulnerable to failure or surprise and often made without an awareness of the emerging nature of policy arenas and their environments. One of the principle aims of this event is to discuss emerging analytic methods to help decision-makers manage the complexity and uncertainty inherent in many (if not all) policy challenges as well as to consider how larger social goals are accommodated in long-range planning.

Complexity thinking is often associated with agent-based modeling (ABM) approaches to policy analysis and decision-making. If not ABM specifically, the central role of computer simulation is often how complexity ideas are realized in policy analysis. The complexity (meta-) paradigm, however, is rather broader than the computational perspective and this workshop will explore `soft' applications of complexity, the relationship between `hard' and `soft' approaches, and how hybrid approaches maybe synthesized in policy formulation and research design. We are, of course, keen to have submissions from computer simulators, but it is important to note that the event is not purely an exploration of computing in policy analysis, but also seeks to ground computation in a broader conceptual and methodological base in hopes of teasing more from the new paradigm.

Call for Papers

Potential attendees are encouraged to submit papers on the following topics - all to be regarded from a complexity perspective:

• Complexity-based tools for Managing Complexity and Uncertainty
• Multi-methodologies - e.g. triangulation, critical pluralism
• Complex limits of analysis
• Role of analysis in policy decisions
• Complexity-based analytical frameworks
• The philosophy of policy analysis
• Case studies in complexity based policy decisions
• Role of models in analysis
• Sustainable policy development
• Robust policy analysis

All paper submissions will be considered for publication in the international journal Emergence: Complexity and Organization (depending upon suitability). Selected papers from previous events have appeared in Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology and the Life Sciences, and this journal may again prove to be a publishing avenue for selected papers. Depending upon the quality and number of papers received we may be in a position to put together an edited volume for ISCE's Managing the Complex book series. All papers will be considered for publication whether they are accepted for formal presentation or poster presentation.

The decision as to what papers will be published and in what form will occur shortly after the closing of the conference. It is hoped that participants will play an integral role in the development of the event timetable before and during the event. Currently we plan to have paper sessions in the morning followed by 4-5 breakout groups in the afternoon to discuss particular aspects of complexity and policy analysis (so expect to do some work!)

Provisional Timetable

Please let Caroline Richardson (policyworkshop@isce.edu) know of your interest in attending this event as soon as possible. Attendance at the event will be strictly limited to 30 so as to encourage genuine dialogue amongst participants - selection of attendees will be determined simply on a first come first serve basis (with the additional consideration of paper relevance of course).

Accommodation is available through at the University College Cork at conference rates of _ 46 per single per night including continental breakfast. The rate for double sharing is _ 36 per night. Accommodation is also available within short walking distance of the university at very nice Bed and Breakfasts with prices ranging from _60-75 a night per person. Hotels in the vicinity are also available for rates ranging from _75 per night to _175.00. Contact information will be made available in future notices.

Extended abstracts of around 1000 words to be submitted to Dr. Kurt Richardson (kurt@kurtrichardson.com) by end of November, 2004.

The decision by the academic board comprise of members of the hosting organizations to encourage submission of a full paper - to be no longer than 5000 words - will occur by end of January, 2005.

Full papers to be submitted by end of April, 2005.

The cost of registration will be US $395 and must be paid in full before the event - a registration form will sent to participants after the decision regarding paper acceptance has been made. As well as administrative and location costs, fees will also cover lunch and coffee/tea breaks during the event as well as an Irish-style dinner event at the close of the third day. Participants will be responsible for their own hotel costs.

If you would like to attend the workshop please send an email to Caroline Richardson (policyworkshop@isce.edu) with the following information: Name, academic affiliation and status if any, address, phone, fax, and email. Caroline will contact you for further information re hotel confirmation and payment of workshop fees.