Program and Speakers
Program
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The conference brings together researchers from diverse disciplines to explore the concept of modeling across the sciences and humanities. The program is structured to foster in-depth discussions and promote interdisciplinary exchange.
The content of the conference is divided into three thematically different sections. Four lectures are allocated to each section.
Each session follows a carefully designed format to maximize engagement and insight:
Concept Interpretation: Every presenter begins by offering their unique interpretation of the concept of modeling within their field or their personal research.
Lecture: Speakers deliver a half-hour presentation on their specific research.
Open Discussion: Each session concludes with an half-hour open forum where attendees can engage directly with the speaker or one another. This interactive segment encourages lively debate, allows for clarification of complex ideas, and promotes cross-disciplinary dialogue as well as collaborative learning.
Section 1: The use of models in the natural and social sciences (shaded in red)
The section wants to explore whether different fields in the natural and social sciences share a common understanding of models. The question is what the nature and role of generalizations are in the natural sciences on the one hand and in the social sciences on the other. The section seeks to compare the ways of how theoretical goals such as explanation and understanding are pursued in the natural and social sciences.
Section 2: Models of change (shaded in yellow)
The section will focus in particular on models of change. We will ask how change is modeled in the natural sciences and the humanities, for example, in models of social change, conceptual models, mathematical models, or computer simulations. In particular, we will look at how transfer is possible or takes place via models of change and whether we can find a common theoretical ground for models, such as evolution, not only across subjects but also across disciplines.
Section 3: Modelling processes of change under uncertainty (shaded in green)
The section discusses advances of research on uncertainty that focus on the modeling and analysis of different ways of navigating uncertainty in processes of change. It will delve into new approaches allowing to develop a better understanding of modern society and social change in general. The overarching research question is: What are the effects of dealing with uncertainty in society or on societies and how can different ways of dealing with uncertainty be modelled?
Speakers
The conference brings together an array of researchers from across Europe, representing a diverse range of academic disciplines.
The speakers' varied backgrounds span the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, offering a truly interdisciplinary perspective on modeling and change.
Section 1:
Prof. Dr. Andreas Diekmann
ETH Zurich em./University of Leipzig - Seniorprofessor at the Insitute for Sociology
Preliminary lecture title: "Model building in sociology"
Prof. Dr. Paul Hoyningen-Huene
Leibniz University Hannover - Professor of Philosophy of Science
Preliminary lecture title: "How do robust abstract economic models explain?"
Prof. Dr. Katharina Al-Shamery
Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenbourg - Professor of Physical Chemistry
Preliminary lecture title: "Models to understand catalysis"
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Kautek
University of Wien - Professor of Physical Chemistry
Preliminary lecture title: "Perspectives on scientific modelling and simulation"
Prof. Dr. Armin Gölzhäuser (Faculty of Physics) and Prof. Dr. Martin (Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology) are responsible for the thematic focus and for recruiting the speakers of this section.
Section 2:
Dr. Inês Fragata
University of Lissabon - Centre for ecology, evolution and environmental changes
Preliminary lecture title: "How can species interactions shape fitness landscapes"
Prof. Dr. Jonathan Jeschke
FU Berlin - Head of the Department of Evolutionary and Integrative Ecology at IGB Berlin
Preliminary lecture title: "Knowledge network models for biological invasions and beyond"
Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Knöbl
Hamburger Institut für Sozialforschung - Head of the Hamburg Institute for Social Research
Preliminary lecture title: „Attempts of Theorizing Social Change: Problems and Pitfalls“
Prof. Dr. André Krischer
University of Freiburg - Professor of Early Modern History
Preliminary lecture title: "Explaining Change in the Early Modern Period with Modernization Theories"
Prof. Dr Franz-Josef Arlinghaus (Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology), Prof. Dr Caroline Müller (Faculty of Biology/ Chemical ecology) and Prof. Dr Meike Wittmann (Faculty of Biology/ Theoretical biology), are responsible for the thematic focus and for recruiting the speakers of this section.
Section 3:
Prof. Dr. Michael Piotrowski
University of Lausanne - Professor of Digital Humanities in the Department of Language and Information Sciences
Preliminary lecture title: "Computational historical models and historiographical uncertainty"
Prof. Dr. Mark Freeston
Newcastle University - Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
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Prof. Dr. Jean-Marc Tallon
University of Paris - PSE Chaired Professor
Preliminary lecture title: "Modeling decision-making under uncertainty"
Prof. Dr. Tina Comes
TU Delft - Director of the TPM Resilience Lab
Preliminary lecture title: "Tempus fugit - On the Dynamics of Resilience Modeling & Policy"
Prof. Dr. Herbert Dawid (Faculty of Business Administration and Economics) and Prof. Dr. Silke Schwandt (Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology), are responsible for the thematic focus and for recruiting the speakers of this section.