IRTG 1740/2: Dynamical Phenomena in Complex Networks: Fundamentals and Applications

During the last decade, networks with complex topology have become a very powerful approach for understanding large complex systems in various fields of applications ranging from Neuroscience, via Engineering to Sociology and Economy. So far, most studies have concentrated on fixed topology, i.e. were strongly restricted in their applicability. Therefore, we intend to study principles of self-organization in evolving complex networks in this IRTG. To bring these principles closer to various applications, we will in addition investigate the influence of heterogeneity in the network structure, multiscale time delays and stochasticity. These theoretical studies will be intimately connected with the investigation of experimental and natural dynamical networks of increasing complexity starting from power grids, via infection networks and networks of neurons to the Earth system. The latter one is a special challenge for the network theory and it will be a focus of this IRTG. In this context, the main topic will be to understand the functioning of the Earth?s subsystems under changing conditions, especially global warming and land-use-change in Amazonia.