Dissecting evolving interaction networks: Which network components are important for the dynamics?

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Klaus Lehnertz
• Subject Area: Statistical Physics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Complex Systems, Soft and Fluid Matter, Biological Physics
• Term: from 2017 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 391934314

Complex networks can be found in animate and inanimate nature on virtually all scales. Examples include interconnected cellular structures (e.g. the brain), communication (e.g. the Internet) and infrastructure networks (e.g., air traffic, power grid), social, and even climate networks. Interdisciplinary research into complex networks has advanced from a characterization of network properties on various scales to improving our understanding of collective dynamical phenomena by means of evolving interaction networks. Still, disentangling the complicated relationship between structure and dynamics remains a challenge, mostly because progress in identifying key constituents (nodes and links) of evolving interaction networks is currently limited by a number of factors.We propose a research programme that targets at improving (1) the identification of constituents that are important for the network's structure and dynamics and (2) the characterization of properties of such key constituents. By means of application-oriented method developments and computer simulations as well as through analyses of real-world networks, we aim at advancing our understanding of local aspects of the relationship between structure and dynamics in natural and man-made evolving interaction networks.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants