Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
QNC 1501
Alexander "Sasha" Gutfraind
Master's from Applied Math UWaterloo, PhD from Cornell
Lecturer - Loyola University Medical Center
Adjunct R. A. Professor - U of Illinois at Chicago
Chief Health Data Scientist, Uptake Technologies
Math on the frontlines : applications of complex systems methods in conflict research
The past 15 years have been characterized by monumental conflicts including the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the insurgencies in Afghanistan and Iraq, and the recent war with the Islamic State. Simultaneously, complex system methods and data opened an unprecedented window into conflicts, and enabled new research into their causes and dynamics. In this talk I will, first, discuss simple models applying dynamical system theory to studying terrorist organizations. I will then introduce a model of insurgencies and apply it to the Syrian civil war. Finally, I will cover recent work on the Islamic State (IS) network in Europe, comparing it to networks from past conflicts, such as Al-Qaida's. I will argue that future research of conflicts could greatly benefit from mathematical and computational methods, especially when informed by some of the large datasets now coming from conflict zones.
Contact Info
Department of Applied Mathematics
University of Waterloo
Waterloo, Ontario
Canada N2L 3G1
Phone: 519-888-4567, ext. 32700
Fax: 519-746-4319
PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.