Lecture

WICI Graduate Fellowship Awardees: Research Symposium

Noelle Valeriote-Hakim — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 20:39:01 +0000

WICI Graduate Fellowship Awardees: Research Symposium Noelle Valerio… Sat, 12/08/2018 - 15:39

Amanda Raffoul: Are we (unintentionally) doing more harm than good? Systems Approaches to the Prevention of Eating-and-Weight-Related Disorders

Kevin Church: The Hidden Geometry of Complex Dynamics and How to Exploit It

Katharine Zywert: Social-Ecological Systems Change and the Future of Human Health

Watch the video of these presentations on Vimeo.com

Meta-Relational AI in a Time of Saturation, Destabilization, and Reckoning

Tammy Neal — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 16:19:51 +0000

Meta-Relational AI in a Time of Saturation, Destabilization, and Reckoning Tammy Neal Tue, 06/03/2025 - 12:19

Dr. Andreotti - June 27

Prof. Vanessa de Oliveira Andreotti, Dean of the Faculty of Education at the University of Victoria, is a distinguished educator, researcher, and author who recently has delved into the concept of "Meta-Relational AI," advocating for a perspective that views artificial intelligence not merely as a tool but as a participant in the web of life.

As we meet this moment of social and ecological systemic unraveling, artificial intelligence stands as both a mirror and a symptom of modernity’s habits: control, mastery, and separation. This talk invites a different question: what is AI revealing about us, and what is collapsing through that revelation?

Drawing on decades of work in educational, decolonial, and post-representational relational inquiry, Vanessa Andreotti explores how Large Language Models (LLMs), when engaged from within an ontological shift (from epistemic regression to relational inference), rather than the logic of optimization, can become something else: a co-witness to social, ecological, and psychological destabilization, and a speculative co-weaver of life-affirming and Earth-aligned relationalities.

📅Date: June 27, 2025

🕒Time: 10:30 am

📍Location: United College of University of ��ݮ��Ƶ, Room 164 (Greenhouse) | 190 Westmount Road N. , ��ݮ��Ƶ, ON | (formerly St. Paul's College)

Please register using the registration form below in order to stay up to date with more information.

Dr. Andreotti - June 27

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WICI Speaker Series: Research Funding as a Complex System

Brenda Panasiak — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:40:46 +0000

WICI Speaker Series: Research Funding as a Complex System Brenda Panasiak Thu, 02/06/2025 - 11:40

WICI Speaker Series with James Shelley

Research Funding as a Complex System: Can AI Predict What Peer Reviewers Will Flag as Weaknesses in Grant Applications?

Monday, March 17th, 2025

3 - 4:30 p.m. | DC 1302

WICI external core member James Shelley returns to ��ݮ��Ƶ to talk about how complexity theory has informed his exciting new project, now a university-wide pilot at Western, on AI use in the research funding competition space.

Please join us in person or online via Zoom!

Research Funding as a Complex System: Can AI predict what peer reviews will flag as weaknesses in grant applications?

We consider the peer-review process as a complex system that appears to defy predictive modelling. Noisy and inconsistent reviewer judgments create a well-documented “black box” problem for applicants, as wide variability in human evaluation makes it difficult for researchers to preemptively identify the weaknesses—both real and perceived—that might reduce an application’s competitiveness. Assuming that the peer review process to be a highly permeable, abstruse and unpredictable system, we explore the potential efficacy of intervention strategies. We investigate the potential of leveraging LLMs to “simulate” potential reviewer critiques and hypothesize that exposing applicants to a comprehensive analysis of potential application critiques ahead of submission might mitigate some of the effects of weak inter-rater reliability. In this presentation, we report on the development of Automated Grant Feedback (AGF), a bespoke AI application that leverages historical reviewer critiques from past competitions in order to anticipate areas that adjudicators might flag as critical weaknesses. The result is a simulation of the “randomness dynamics” of peer review, specific to each unique application. As the model incorporates more historical data, its ability for identifying the same weaknesses as human reviewers increases. AGF is both a unique application of complexity theory in research administration and a demonstration of the potential benefit of using frontier AI models to provide rapid, scalable, and in-depth feedback on grant applications, offering researchers a new layer of novel feedback for refining their proposals prior to submission.

James Shelley heads Western University’s Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) Lab. This network, established in early 2020, serves as an interdisciplinary hub for the study of complexity and system scholarship at Western University, bridging every faculty on the campus. James is also a Knowledge Mobilization Specialist in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University. His role involves piloting strategic initiatives, designing experimental ways to share new research, and delivering professional development training.

James especially focuses on novel approaches to using data, automation and storytelling in knowledge mobilization and science communication. An autodidact at heart, he has a special interest in the overlap of complexity theory, information, narrative, and communications.

Please register in advance to attend this talk in person or online via Zoom!

WICI-WISIR Panel Discussion at Kitchener City Hall: Social Finance, Investment Readiness, and Community Wealth Building

Brenda Panasiak — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 20:39:21 +0000

WICI-WISIR Panel Discussion at Kitchener City Hall: Social Finance, Investment Readiness, and Community Wealth Building Brenda Panasiak Tue, 02/27/2024 - 15:39

WICI Director Dr. Sean Geobey brings his research team to Kitchener City Hall to share how their work with the Investment Readiness Program, in partnership with Canadian Community Economic Development Network (CCEDNet), connects with social finance and community wealth building.

Join WICI and WISIR at Kitchener City Hall on Wednesday, March 27th from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for this exciting discussion!

Dr. Sean Geobey, Director of WICI, Co-Director of WISIR, is an Associate Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. Sean Geobey applies expertise in social innovation theory, sustainable finance, planning, governance, and decision-theory to his research, teaching, and social innovation labs.

In-person attendees will be provided a light lunch and an opportunity for informal networking at this event. The talk is open to all WICI and/or WISIR members, University of ��ݮ��Ƶ students, and the public, but guests must register to be included in the lunch!

Can't make it in person? Join remotely via Zoom or watch the recording of this talk which will be available on the WICI website following the event.

Please register below to attend:

WICI-WISIR Panel Discussion at Kitchener City Hall: Community Wealth Building

Brenda Panasiak — Thu, 01 Feb 2024 16:52:08 +0000

WICI-WISIR Panel Discussion at Kitchener City Hall: Community Wealth Building Brenda Panasiak Thu, 02/01/2024 - 11:52

WICI Director Dr. Sean Geobey brings community leaders Naudia Banton, Manager of ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Small Business Centre, Trevor Charles, Executive Director of LiftOFF, Eric Avner, President and CEO of ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Community Foundation, and Carla Leon, President & CEO of Just Like Family Home Care, together to Kitchener City Hall to share their perspectives on community wealth building.

Join WICI and WISIR at Kitchener City Hall on Wednesday, February 14th from 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. for this exciting discussion!

After an immersive morning in the Community Wealth Lab between University of ��ݮ��Ƶ students of Sustainable Business Models, Health, Environment, and Planning courses, students from Conestoga College, and a variety of community business leaders, the conversation will turn to a WICI-WISIR panel discussion on the topic of Community Wealth.

The Panelists:

Naudia Banton, Manager of ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Small Business Centre, is an innovative force with a background in entrepreneurship and talent management, Naudia has worked across industries such as publishing, health care, insurance, education, and manufacturing. Known for her energy and drive she helped build ��ݮ��Ƶ Region’s first Women Entrepreneurs Bootcamp, recently opened the regions newest innovation space focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and currently manages the ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Small Business Centre.

Trevor Charles, Executive Director of LiftOff, Professor of Biology, and Director of the ��ݮ��Ƶ Centre for Microbial Research, is a microbiologist, trained at UBC, McMaster and University of Washington with a focus on Circular Bioeconomy and Sustainable Development. Trevor is also the founder, CEO, and CSO of the bioscience start-up Metagenom Bio Life Science. LiftOFF is the ��ݮ��Ƶ region’s first and only Black-led incubator and accelerator program.

Eric Avner is President and CEO of ��ݮ��Ƶ Region Community Foundation. As the region grows to one million residents, Eric is working with the board of directors, committees and team at WRCF to ensure our communities are equitable, connected, and sustainable, and our people are thriving. Eric collaborates locally, provincially, and nationally to amplify voices, maximize resources, and co-create solutions linked to WRCF's core area of focus: building social infrastructure across ��ݮ��Ƶ region.

Carla Leon, President and CEO of Just Like Family Home Care, is an innovator, having spearheaded the first social acquisition by charities in Canada, and transforming Just Like Family into a Social Enterprise, with the majority of profits going to charities. During her career, Carla has provided leadership, coaching, mentorship, and education to thousands of entrepreneurs and small business owners. She strives to make a social impact, transforming home care across Canada for franchise owners and the families they support. She holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from University of British Columbia.

The discussion will be moderated by Dr. Sean Geobey, Director of WICI, Co-Director of WISIR, and Professor in the School of Environment, Enterprise and Development at the University of ��ݮ��Ƶ. Sean Geobey applies expertise in social innovation theory, sustainable finance, planning, governance, and decision-theory to his research, teaching, and social innovation labs.

In-person attendees will be provided a light lunch and an opportunity for informal networking at the start of the event. The talk is open to all WICI and/or WISIR members, University of ��ݮ��Ƶ students, and the public, but guests must register to be included in the lunch!

Can't make it in person?Stay tuned for a recording of the session, which we will share in a future newsletter, and/or join the discussion at the next Community Lab event on Wednesday, March 27th.

Registration for this event is now closed.

WICI Webinar: Mapping Canadian Complex Systems Scholarship

Brenda Panasiak — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 06:04:09 +0000

WICI Webinar: Mapping Canadian Complex Systems Scholarship Brenda Panasiak Mon, 12/07/2020 - 01:04

Join us for a WICI Webinar on Wednesday, January 6th @ 2 p.m. via Webex.

Mapping exercises are increasingly important for information organizational strategy and assessing impact; this is as true for research institutes like WICI as it is for large institutions. In this talk, Jinelle Piereder, PhD Candidate in Global Governance at Balsillie School of International Affaris, will draw out key insights from her forthcoming report—Mapping Canadian Complex Systems Scholarship: A Bibliometric and Network Analysis—including the thematic clusters of WICI member research, an evaluation of several bibliometric and network analysis tools, and the challenges around identifying (and measuring the impact of) complex systems research and scholars. Jinelle will also provide a tour of several interactive databases, reports, and maps so attendees can engage directly with the data and results of the project. This will also be an opportunity for participants/attendees to ask questions about the project results and discuss its recommendations to WICI.

Kate Adamala: "Life, but not alive"

Brenda Panasiak — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 04:41:00 +0000

Kate Adamala: "Life, but not alive" Brenda Panasiak Thu, 01/02/2020 - 23:41

WICI and the ��ݮ��Ƶ Centre for Microbial Research (WCMR) Present:

"Life, but not alive" with Kate Adamala

Watch the video recording of this talk on Vimeo.com

Join WICI and the ��ݮ��Ƶ Centre for Microbial Research in welcoming Kate Admala on Thursday, February 6th in DC 1302.

Abstract:

Building live cells from scratch, from non-living components, will soon become a reality. Being able to construct whole cells, precisely manipulating molecules and designing all biological processes, will give us unprecedented control over living systems. Already, on the way to engineering organisms from simpler building blocks, we are learning more about how life works.

Synthetic cells find many applications in basic and applied research. Building cells allows us to address fundamental questions about the nature of life, investigating history of life on Earth and elsewhere in the Universe. We are developing new biocomputing solutions, towards building a living computer and computers interfacing with natural tissues. We investigate complex natural processes on biochemical, cellular and population levels, and we are testing all basic assumptions made by biologists from the beginning of science.

Synthetic cells can be used for personalized medicine: reconstructing patient's specific mutations in each synthetic cell sample and testing drugs for that very specific variant of the disease. More extreme medical applications are also possible: treating astronauts during long term space missions with drugs custom made in specifically designed synthetic cells.

Synthetic cells offer the new frontier in bioengineering: with the ability to fully control every aspect of living cell, we can move beyond messy natural biology and change our understanding of life.

_________________________

Kate Adamala, Assistant Professor of Genetics, Cell Biology and Development at University of Minnesota, is a biochemist building synthetic cells. Her research aims at understanding chemical principles of biology, using artificial cells to create new tools for bioengineering, drug development, and basic research. The interests of the Protobiology lab span questions from the origin and earliest evolution of life, using synthetic biology to colonize space, to the future of biotechnology and medicine. Kate is a co-founder of the synthetic cell therapeutics startup Synlife, and one of the leaders of the Build-a-Cell synthetic cell community.

WICI Speaker Series: Mary O'Connor "Our Changing Biosphere: Understanding our Future from First Principles"

Brenda Panasiak — Tue, 15 Oct 2019 17:24:54 +0000

WICI Speaker Series: Mary O'Connor "Our Changing Biosphere: Understanding our Future from First Principles" Brenda Panasiak Tue, 10/15/2019 - 13:24

WICI Speaker Series: Dr. Mary O'Connor "Our Changing Biosphere: Understanding our Future from First Principles"

Watch the video recording of this talk on Vimeo.com

Biodiversity change and ecological responses to climate change are topics of major concern, and we rely on ecological theory to guide how we relate observed or suspected changes to potential consequences for ecosystem functions and services. Our major theories of life emphasize either energy and materials (metabolic theories) or information (biodiversity, evolution). Dr. O'Connor is seeking avenues for unification across these conceptual pillars, and insights gained by a unified approach for modern ecological problems. Dr O'Connor will present recent work that strengthens our understanding of how general temperature dependence of metabolism constrains population-level processes and fitness potential, providing a key link between temperature and ecological and evolutionary outcomes across scales. She is deeply interested in unifying our ecological science across scales, and hope to discuss how we can continue to take steps in that direction to bridge themes in modern ecology.

Please register for this free event on Eventbrite.

Mary O'Connor is an Associate Professor of Zoology and the Associate Director of the Centre for Biodiversity at University of British Columbia. She is a leader in metabolic ecology research, using experiments, data synthesis and theoretical models to understand change in aquatic ecosystems, including causes and consequences of biodiversity change and climate change impacts. O’Connor is an External Faculty of the Santa Fe Institute, Affiliate of the Hakai Beach Institute, and currently serves on the Secretariat of the Western Society of Naturalists.

WICI Workshop: Demystifying language and breaking down barriers in complexity science and methods

Noelle Valeriote-Hakim — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 19:17:43 +0000

WICI Workshop: Demystifying language and breaking down barriers in complexity science and methods Noelle Valerio… Fri, 12/07/2018 - 14:17

Complexity science and related methods draw from multiple theories and disciplines. As a result, the application of complexity science and methods can potentially help build bridges across disciplines. However, the use of different language and concepts across disciplines can also act as a barrier to achieving transdisciplinary collaborations to address complex challenges. In this workshop, we will consider linguistic and related barriers to the implementation of complexity science and strategies to address these barriers.

Watch the video of this presentation.

Sharon Kirkpatrick

William Sutherland

James Shelley

WICI Talk: Dr. Noelle Eckley Selin : Systems Approaches to Sustainability: Climate, Air Pollution, and Toxic Substances

Noelle Valeriote-Hakim — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 18:39:24 +0000

WICI Talk: Dr. Noelle Eckley Selin : Systems Approaches to Sustainability: Climate, Air Pollution, and Toxic Substances Noelle Valerio… Fri, 12/07/2018 - 13:39

Managing air pollution, toxic substances, and climate change is a complex, linked sustainability challenge. To better inform efforts to address these issues, we need to understand how policies to address emissions translate into societal benefits. In this talk, Dr. Selin will present work from her research group, using a systems approach to better understand air pollutants such as particulate matter, ozone, and mercury. Examples include assessing the air pollution and related health impacts of proposed regulations to address climate change in the U.S. and China, and quantifying the domestic and international benefits of mercury reduction policies in China, India, and the U.S. She also will summarize recent work examining how society’s interactions with mercury as a resource and a pollutant over time can help illuminate interactions of human, technological, and environmental systems of relevance to sustainability. Effectively informing decision-making also requires interactions with decision-makers: Dr. Selin describes ways in which we have incorporated public and policy engagement in our work, and examine how research on air pollution, toxic substances, and climate has influenced policy.

Noelle Eckley Selin is an Associate Professor in the Institute for Data, Systems and Society and the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She is also the Director of MIT's Technology and Policy Program. Her research uses atmospheric chemistry modeling to inform decision-making on air pollution, climate change and hazardous substances such as mercury and persistent organic pollutants (POPs). She received her PhD from Harvard University in Earth and Planetary Sciences as part of the Atmospheric Chemistry Modeling Group. Her M.A. (Earth and Planetary Sciences) and B.A. (Environmental Science and Public Policy) are also from Harvard University. Before joining the MIT faculty, she was a research scientist with the MIT Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change. She has published 70+ articles in the peer-reviewed literature, addressing atmospheric chemistry, air pollution, and interactions between science and policy in international environmental negotiations. Her articles were selected as the best environmental policy papers in 2015 and 2016 by the journal Environmental Science & Technology. She is the recipient of a U.S. National Science Foundation CAREER award (2011), a Leopold Leadership fellow (2013-2014), Kavli fellow (2015), a member of the Global Young Academy (2014-2018), an American Association for the Advancement of Science Leshner Leadership Institute Fellow (2016-2017), and a Hans Fischer Senior Fellow at the Technical University of Munich Institute for Advanced Study (2018-2021).

Watch the video of this presentation.