vi WCCS26: World Conference on Complex Systems 20-22nd April

April and WCCS26 seems an age ago, but the motivational impetus provided by this experience has been ongoing.

Luis Comolli - Best Paper Award 
for Emergence in Designed Agroecosystems:
Collective Dynamics in a Perennial Multi-Species 
Agroforestry Network

At the closing ceremony there was an award for the best paper which was awarded to Luis Comolli for:

Emergence in Designed Agroecosystems: 
Collective Dynamics in a Perennial Multi-Species Agroforestry Network

Sat by Luis, I offered to take his photo to which he agreed - so better late than never! And: Well done Luis!

My presentation on the 21st April was part of:

Parallel Session 2
Track 1 - Agent-Based and Social Complexity
Session chair: Helena Knyazeva

    ▪ Peter Jones
Presenting a Universal and Simple Conceptual Workbench to Situate and Encompass Complexity

    ▪ Nisrine Jarmoune and Bouchra Lebzar
The Ontology of Behavior: Formalizing the Institutional Project as a Complex System
    
    ▪ Lionel Scotto d’Apollonia, Florian Charvolin, Lise Verlaet, Deborah Nourrit, Dominique Deveaux, Elisabeth Sénégas and Nourdine Bara
Participatory Action Research with and for Society: The Case of “Oasis of Fraternity”

▪ Harvey Spencer Sánchez-Restrepo, Jorge Louçã, Martha Belén Carmona-Soto and Sofialeticia Morales-Garza
Topological Patterns of Academic Success: Insights from Complex Network Analysis

To be clear there was a great deal in all the sessions (see below!). I noticed in Nisrine Jarmoune's presentation, however, more specific conceptual overlap in terms of the individual, collective - groups, behaviour and institutions, with reference to ontology and philosophy. Several mathematical concepts also arose and since April online discussion has proved very interesting. In the near future I hope to report on how ideas develop and may be taken further, both for Nisrine's PhD studies and my work on Hodges' model.

We are considering, especially with the options to participate available -

https://www.measuringbehavior.org/

'The next Measuring Behavior conference will take place from 28 to 30 April, 2027, in Düsseldorf, Germany. Düsseldorf is in a region with a high concentration of behavioral research across a variety of fields both in universities and industry. It is easy to reach by international trains and flights. It is a city combining innovative modern architecture with a historic city centre. The conference will take place in the Clayton Hotel, which is in the Little Tokyo region of Düsseldorf, with its distinctive Japanese flavor. We will be hosted by the Heinrich Heine Medical University and the location is within easy walking distance of the central station.'

https://www.measuringbehavior.org/call-for-symposia-mb2027-2/

Going back to the Monday, the closing Keynote Speaker: Abdelmajid Ibenrissoul 

Public Decision-Making and Complexity: What Rationality for Evaluation?

- provided fascinating insights and economic history:

Abdelmajid Ibenrissoul - Public Decision-Making and Complexity: What Rationality for Evaluation?

There remains much to follow up, seek understanding and see how this relates to Hodges' model.

More details to follow.

I have noticed the main website for WCCS appears to be unavailable? I will check.

The UK Dementia Awards 2026

Dear CHAIN member,

We would like to draw your attention to the following opportunity. Please pass on as appropriate. Thank you.

Dementia Community

The UK Dementia Awards 2026

The awards are judged by a panel of dementia experts, including people with lived experience, ensuring that every nomination is seen, valued, and understood.

Whether nominating a colleague, a team, a service, or someone whose quiet dedication deserves the spotlight, this is the chance to say: you matter, and your work matters too.

Friday 27 February 2026, 5pm: Nominations Close.

For more details please see: https://journalofdementiacare.co.uk/awards/listings

Regards,

Irina Johnston

CHAIN Administrative Assistant

 

If you wish to publicise information on the CHAIN Network please email your request to: enquiries AT chain-network.org.uk

 

CHAIN - Contact, Help, Advice and Information Network – is an online international network for people working in health and social care. For more information on CHAIN and joining the network please visit website: www.chain-network.org.uk

 

Follow CHAIN on X: @CHAIN_Network ; Connect with CHAIN on LinkedIn

Previously: 'dementia' : 'carer'

Share your voice: IRMS New Professionals Award

- entries close 31 January 2026

Dear students, apprentices and new professionals,

What are you up to between now and 31 January 2026? How about sharing your thoughts on anything to do with Information, Data or Records?

If you’ve not come across it, the Alison North New Professionals Award was set up by Alison back in 2010 to support emerging talent in our profession. 2025 marked its 15th year and the award continues to recognise and champion new voices.

Over the last fifteen years, entrants have offered everything from light‑hearted reflections to deeper insights into how we do what we do. Every applicant adds value, winner or not, helping the profession see familiar challenges in new ways.

What’s new for 2026:

We’re making submissions more flexible. Previously, you had to write an 1,000 word article.

This year you can still submit a written piece or you can record one instead (audio or video). As long as your entry covers 1,000 words’ worth of content it’ll be accepted and shared with the panel for consideration.

Why bother?

We know you’re busy studying or finding your feet in new roles. But for a little time and creativity, successful entrants will receive:

• A funded place at the IRMS Conference 2026—a brilliant opportunity for content, networking and professional contacts. (IRMS 2026 is scheduled for 17–19 May at the Celtic Manor Resort, Wales.)
• Publication of your winning entry to our 1,000+ members, and sharing across our partner networks and the wider profession.
• Plus additional support to help you settle into—and thrive in—our fabulous profession.

So, ignore the inner imposter that says you’ve nothing to say. Set aside some time over Christmas and the New Year, and share your ideas.

For inspiration, our Patron, Scott Sammons, even interviewed recent winners on his podcast to explore why they applied—and why you should too.

(See https://theiglighthouse.podbean.com/e/special-episode-irms-new-professionals-award-carys-hardy/?token=dd9fdcd3d516c13f4874d8baca1c7b64 )

How to apply:

Deadline: 31 January 2026
Format: Written (1,000 words) or recorded (audio/video) equivalent
Details & submissions: https://irms.org.uk/professional-development/awards/new-professionals-award/

What’s stopping you?

Not a new professional yourself? Please share the application page with people who’d be a great fit and encourage them to apply—every little helps.

Best wishes,

Carys Hardy (She/Her)
Communications & Marketing Officer
Information and Records Management Society Ltd (IRMS)
Email: info AT irms.org.uk 

My source and list archives at: 
https://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/cgi-bin/webadmin?A0=RECORDS-MANAGEMENT-UK

NIHR Global Health Research - collecting diversity data

NIHR invites you to help shape their approach to diversity and inclusivity within NIHR Global Health Research (GHR) funding.

NIHR wants to make sure that their approach to collecting diversity data from applicants, award holders, and committee members is effective, appropriate, and reflects the settings where global health research takes place.

Please complete NIHR’s survey on the collection of diversity data in Global Health Research to be part of informing our approach. The value of your insights and your time are greatly appreciated.

Please note: this survey is not about collecting data from research participants (research volunteers or subjects). Please answer the questions thinking about collecting data from those who apply or receive research funding and those who take part in our committees. 

More details & background from survey page:

Diversity data of global health stakeholders

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion and addressing inequalities. One key theme of our Research Inclusion strategy is to develop an evidence-led approach to our equalities and inclusion work.

One of the most important ways to make progress in this work is to collect diversity data and evidence. Only by collecting and analysing our diversity data can we identify the bias and under representation in our systems, and set priorities for future work. 

Diversity means being reflective of the wider community. Having a diverse community, with people from a broad range of backgrounds represented in all areas and at all levels. Diversity data is data collected directly from individuals that allows them to self describe aspects of their identity. 

Understanding of the concepts of equality, diversity and inclusion may differ between the UK and other countries. We want to improve the way we ask our applicants, award holders, and committee members about their diversity data.

Please note: this survey is not about collecting data from research participants (research volunteers or subjects). Please answer the questions thinking about collecting data from those who apply or receive research funding and those who take part in our committees. [Repeated above PJ].

This is your chance to shape what data we collect about you and how we categorise it.  

Please complete by the 30th April 2025.

A note on language:
Throughout this document we will be referring to Low and Middle Income Countries. Every three years, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee updates its list of countries eligible for overseas development assistance. We refer to these countries as Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs). ... continued on survey page...

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The link to the survey is embedded in the above text, but, in case helpful, the full link is

https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fnihr.us14.list-manage.com%2Ftrack%2Fclick%3Fu%3D299dc02111e8a68172029095f%26id%3D662b9becdb%26e%3D62ea777216&data=05%7C02%7Ct.a.beare%40soton.ac.uk%7C8d81ac29e6874c273dfd08dd580f5e35%7C4a5378f929f44d3ebe89669d03ada9d8%7C0%7C0%7C638763545225554700%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=%2FvfF7r285V4z0imxcHqDV9KsvYwjGA22On2RIF2zl1w%3D&reserved=0

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

Tom

Thomas Beare  He/Him Research Manager, Global Health Research | NIHR Coordinating Centre

 e. thomas.beare AT nihr.ac.uk
 a. National Institute for Health and Care Research
Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, Alpha House, Enterprise Road, Chilworth, Southampton SO16 7NS

My source: HIFA

RCN Nursing Awards 2023

Dear CHAIN member,

We would like to draw your attention to the following opportunity. 

Please pass on as appropriate. Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RCN Nursing Awards 2023

The RCN Nursing Awards invites nurses, students and nursing support workers to share their innovations and expertise and celebrate their contribution to improving care and outcomes for their patients.

Entries are open to individuals and teams in 15 categories covering the diversity of nursing.

The awards will be judged by an expert judging panel chaired by Foundation of Nursing Studies Chief Executive Joanne Bosanquet.

Alongside nominations from colleagues and individuals, the Patient’s Choice category will give the public an opportunity to nominate a nurse or nursing support worker who has made a difference to their lives. The winner will be decided by public vote.

The awards are open to nurses, midwives and health visitors registered to practise in the UK and the Channel Islands, as well as nursing students, nursing support workers and nursing associates.

The deadline for entries is 28 April.

For more details please see:
https://www.rcn.org.uk/news-and-events/news/uk-prestigious-rcn-nursing-awards-2023-now-open-for-entries-280223

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Regards,

Irina Johnston

CHAIN Administrative Assistant

PHT-2 Obesity paper - Chance is still up. Please help us WIN the @Nutrients_MDPI "Nutrients 2023 Best Paper Award"

Dear Professors and Colleagues,

https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041200

the chance is still up to win the @Nutrients_MDPI "Nutrients 2023 Best Paper Award" for our Childhood Obesity paper from the School Study.

Nutrients Editorial Office prepared for us this banner (above) to use for social media etc.

Motevalli, Mohamad, Clemens Drenowatz, Derrick R. Tanous, Naim Akhtar Khan, and Katharina Wirnitzer. 2021. "Management of Childhood Obesity—Time to Shift from Generalized to Personalized Intervention Strategies" Nutrients 13, no. 4: 1200.
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13041200

Pls help us with your continuous support to WIN, kindly asking 2^nd time now to POST & SHARE widely the prepared text-blocs below with the attached grafic, thx so much!

Best Katharina

Like, Post, share and recommend at/via:

• Researchgate – pls. recommend these 4 papers, thx
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/4/1200 = Grafic No. 1
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/8/2741
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3521
• https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/8/2776
• Twitter – attention: extra text blocs due to word limit!
• https://twitter.com/NurmiStudy/status/1639980527674351618
• Facebook
• https://www.facebook.com/nurmistudy/posts/pfbid0vCxsxbFGBH8eDeWtP2qNqRe5qT7G3RyqSfMBHvzWwp2zuMuoexiftKFvwqMfzmBPl
• https://www.facebook.com/nurmistudy/posts/pfbid031TssHDZrkcUDiZpNDxAqYS6NTq3q8LcibmJdcJMuzgYmnuNMGf58kv64VYiqe9obl
• Instagram
• TikTok, LinkedIn, Mendeley, etc.

£62.5k Funding opportunity for researchers interested in healthy ageing

UKRI and Zinc have announced the 3rd funding round for the Healthy Ageing Catalyst Awards. Researchers are encouraged to apply for this £62,500 (fEC) grant from UKRI and 9-month structured programme of support from Zinc, to translate their research into impactful and scalable products, services, and interventions that add quality to later life.

The call for expressions of interest opens on 1st February and closes on 22nd February 2022. You can access the expression of interest guidance, plus further resources here. If you have any questions, please visit zinc.vc/catalyst or email the team at catalyst AT zinc.vc

My source:

Wendy Zhou, CHAIN Manager

CHAIN - Contact, Help, Advice and Information Network – is an online international network for people working in health and social care. For more information on CHAIN and joining the network please visit website: www.chain-network.org.uk

 

Opportunities: Global Research Nurses Pump Priming Awards 2021

The Global Research Nurses hub and The Global Health Network have made available £20,000 funds for small pump-priming grants of between £2000 and £10000 specifically for nursing and midwifery led research projects relevant to Low and Middle Income Countries

Nurses are always at the forefront of delivering care to patients and playing a key role in identifying and improving their quality of life. By getting involved in research, nurses can play a vital role in improving patient care since research is the only evidence-based method of deciding whether a new approach to care is better than current practice.

The way nurses are involved in research is two-fold. Pure nursing research looks at practice and ways to improve nursing activities, interventions or approaches to education that enhance professional practice. Examples of this could be looking at hospital-acquired infections, central line infections or pressure ulcers that patients get when lying down for long periods of time.

The other type of research is using their expertise as a nurse and participating with an intra-professional group of people around a patient population, an illness or an injury. An example of this is studying the way that a team works together to resuscitate a patient during an emergency.

We are delighted to announce that Global Research Nurses and The Global Health Network (TGHN) have made available funds for small pump-priming grants of between £2000 and £10000 specifically for nursing and midwifery led research relevant to LMICs. These may be used for three types of activities:

• To fund an exchange visit(s) to or from another area working on the same nursing and midwifery research project or with a view to developing a collaborative project
• To cover the costs of conducting a new small research project (typically proof-of-principle studies to facilitate further funding through other funders)
• To host a local, national or regional workshop/meeting about nursing/midwifery research with a view to subsequently developing a project
• The grant application should be for either a research project, travel or a workshop, not a mixture

https://globalresearchnurses.tghn.org/opportunities/

 

My source:

Ephriam Senkyire  senkyire88 AT gmail.com
IBPnetwork list

Art, Imagination, NHS, History & Future: c/o Banksy and FT

individual
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INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

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group

Banksy, 'Game Changer', 2020 Banksy/Instagram @banksy

"It has been another challenging week for the UK's NHS as nurses were offered a paltry 1 per cent pay rise. But the artist Banksy is to show his support by auctioning "Game Changer" (2020), a painting initially made to hang in University Hospital Southampton, and now sold to benefit the NHS. The hand-painted, signed work, which shows a kneeling child playing with a toy nurse instead of more traditional superheroes, is estimated by Christie's at £2.5m to £3.5m".

Gerlis, M. (2021) The Art Market, Collecting, Life&Arts, FTWeekend, 13-14 March, p.14.

'Game Changer' source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/banksy-southampton-general-hospital-game-changer-1202686284/

Grant: Helmut Veith Stipend for Female Master’s Students in Computer Science

The Helmut Veith Stipend is awarded annually to motivated female students in the field of computer science who pursue (or plan to pursue) one of the master’s programs in Computer Science at TU Wien taught in English.

Helmut Veith Stipend

The Helmut Veith Stipend is dedicated to the memory of an outstanding computer scientist who worked in the fields of logic in computer science, computer-aided verification, software engineering, and computer security. Helmut Veith, who tragically passed away in March 2016, was a strong advocate and mentor for women in computer science. More on Helmut Veith´s research on the pages of his research group FORSYTE (to follow).

Award

Students who are awarded the Helmut Veith Stipend, receive:

• EUR 6000 annually for a duration of up to two years.
• Waiver of all tuition fees at TU Wien.

 

Eligibility

1. Applicants must be eligible for admission to one of the master’s programs in computer science at TU Wien that are taught in English. In 2019/2020 and 2020/2021 those are:

• Master in Logic and Computation
• Master in Business Informatics
• European Master in Computational Logic
• Master in Computer Engineering (Technische Informatik)
• Master in Data Science
• Master in Media and Human-Centered Computing


Continued... Helmut Veith Stipend ...


My source:
Rozman, Mihaela - mihaela.rozman AT tuwien.ac.at

Hellblade: Senua's Sacrifice

individual

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INTERPERSONAL : SCIENCES

humanistic ----------------------------------- mechanistic

SOCIOLOGY : POLITICAL

|

group

My source: BBC World Service

Greenspan wins Dynamite Prize in Economics

Alan Greenspan has been judged the economist most responsible for causing the Global Financial Crisis. He and 2^nd and 3^rd place finishers Milton Friedman and Larry Summers have won the first – and hopefully last — Dynamite Prize in Economics.

In awarding the Prize, Edward Fullbrook, editor of the Real World Economics Review, noted that “They have been judged to be the three economists most responsible for the Global Financial Crisis. More figuratively, they are the three economists most responsible for blowing up the global economy.”

The prize was developed by the Real World Economics Review Blog in response to attempts by economists to evade responsibility for the crisis by calling it an unpredictable, “Black Swan” event. In reality, the public perception that economic theories and policies helped cause the crisis is correct.

The prize winners were determined by a poll in which over 7,500 people voted—most of whom were economists themselves from the 11,000 subscribers to the Real-World Economics Review. Each voter could vote for a maximum of three economists. In total 18,531 votes were cast.

Fullbrook cautioned that not all economics and economists were bad. “Only ‘neoclassical’ economists caused the GFC. There are other approaches to economics that are more realistic—or at least less delusional—but these have been suppressed in universities and excluded from government policy making.”

“Some of these rebels also did what neoclassical economists falsely claimed was impossible: they foresaw the Global Financial Crisis and warned the public of its approach. In their honour, I now call for nominations for the inaugural Revere Award in Economics, named in honour of Paul Revere and his famous ride. It will be awarded to the 3 economists who saw the GFC coming, and whose work is most likely to prevent another GFC in the future.”

Dynamite Prize Citations:

Alan Greenspan (5,061 votes)
As Chairman of the Federal Reserve System from 1987 to 2006, Alan Greenspan both led the over expansion of money and credit that created the bubble that burst and aggressively promoted the view that financial markets are naturally efficient and in no need of regulation.

Milton Friedman (3,349 votes)
Friedman propagated the delusion, through his misunderstanding of the scientific method, that an economy can be accurately modeled using counterfactual propositions about its nature. This, together with his simplistic model of money, encouraged the development of fantasy-based theories of economics and finance that facilitated the Global Financial Collapse.

Larry Summers (3,023 votes)
As US Secretary of the Treasury (formerly an economist at Harvard and the World Bank), Summers worked successfully for the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act, which since the Great Crash of 1929 had kept deposit banking separate from casino banking. He also helped Greenspan and Wall Street torpedo efforts to regulate derivatives.

The poll was conducted by PollDaddy. Cookies were used to prevent repeat voting.

For further information and interviews email: pae_news@btinternet.com

My source: (with additional links and image) Ciresearchers.net

Image source: http://sveccha.wordpress.com/2007/11/19/laws-of-and-black-swan/

W2tQ and the Nursing Times Awards 2009

Welcome to the QUAD has entered the Nursing Times Awards -

As they say - nothing ventured....

A big thank you to all W2tQ visitors over the past three years.

Computer Weekly IT Blog Awards (maybe next year!)

Returning from Szeged and Drupalcon I checked the Computer Weekly website to learn that W2tQ had not won an award. A disappointment then, but no great surprise - pleased to be shortlisted.

It was a real blast just being nominated and as they say there's always next year.

Many congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who voted for W2tQ.

W2tQ shortlisted for Computer Weekly IT Blog Awards!

...

Voting is 'now' closed... :-)

This is a really amazing development.
Thanks to the CW team for the recognition!
And in anticipation of our visitor's votes!
It's great to see that Rod Ward is also listed informaticopia
Nursing & Community Informatics - let's spread the care!

Lupina Award in Health System Dynamics

The Health Policy Special Interest Group (HPSIG) of the System Dynamics Society is proud to announce the -

Lupina Young Researchers Award in Health System Dynamics

- which will be presented for the first time at this summer's 2008 International System Dynamics Conference in Athens, Greece. The award is sponsored by the Lupina Foundation of Toronto, Canada, and will be accompanied by a check in the amount of CAN$5000. The award will be presented to the recipient (or recipients) during the HPSIG meeting on the Sunday afternoon meeting just preceding the conference (July 20th this year), and a brief announcement will also be made to all conference attendees at a plenary session.

This award will be given to people at early stages of their careers to encourage them to do further work in health system dynamics. In the event that the winning paper represents the equal work of two young researchers, or if there is a tie among papers, the cash prize may be subdivided. The work considered for this award must be accepted as a paper for presentation at the International System Dynamics Conference. Papers are self-nominated, and to be eligible, the author(s) must either be in graduate school or have completed their educational training no more than five years prior to paper submission.

Authors need not be members of the System Dynamics Society and may, in fact, specialize in other methodologies and use them in their submitted papers. But their work must:

• Focus on dynamic phenomena in health systems and problems,
• Demonstrate technical quality and clear presentation, and
• Provide original insights derived from a dynamic analysis.

The winner(s) must be present at the Sunday HPSIG meeting to receive their prize, and be willing to discuss their winning work at that meeting.

For (latest ...) Conference details please see -

http://www.systemdynamics.org

[Ever since watching an Open University programme on Catastrophe Theory in Prisons (+New Scientist article?), running early microcomputer fractal graphic programs for hours and reading Gleick's book on Chaos and others; I've been fascinated by dynamic systems. This is a marvellous field for young researchers to explore:
asking new questions of old answers ...]