Applying complexity science to real world problems
Welcome to Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation!
Visit our "About' section for more information about the Institute. For more about complex systems in general, and how WICI core members are applying complex systems in their work, be sure to watch the short videos on our "What are complex systems" page.
If you haven't already, please subscribe to our mailing list to be notified directly about WICI’s events and news.
If you have any general inquiries, please contact us at wici@uwaterloo.ca and we will do our best to assist you or connect you with someone who can.
News
From Particles to Markets: Complex Systems Across Disciplines
The Waterloo Institute for Complexity & Innovation (WICI) is pleased to host Complexity Day, a cross‑disciplinary gathering exploring how complex systems thinking connects mathematics, physics, and economics.
May 13, 2026 | Faculty Hall - PSE 7303
This special event will feature two distinguished speakers whose work spans theory, systems modeling, and real‑world implications of complexity:
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At 11:30 am, Dr. Carey King
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At 2:00 pm, Dr. Eric De Giuli
Together, these talks will offer complementary perspectives on how nonlinear dynamics, emergence, and constraints shape systems across scales—from physical matter to economies and infrastructures. Complexity Day is designed to foster dialogue across disciplines and highlight shared tools, questions, and insights within complexity science. The talks are accessible to a wide audience.
To join us, please register on each speaker's event page.
Beyond Profit
Beyond Profit
A Talk and Discussion with Dr. Victoria Hurth
Reimagining Leadership for a Wellbeing Economy
Planetary Health Round Table
WICI and the Canadian Network for Complex Systems (CNCS) national network are cosponsoring an event with the Senate, in Ottawa on Wednesday, on planetary health and governance in complex systems.
Events
Planetary Health Round Table
Please note that the Zoom webinar is limited to 1,000 participants. For this reason, the event will also be streamed live on Senator Galvez’s YouTube channel on the day of the event: @senatorrosagalvez1106. You may register for the Zoom event using the QR code in the poster.
Beyond Profit
📍 Location: Desmarais Hall, Room 7170, University of Ottawa (55 Laurier Ave E, Ottawa, ON)
📅 Date: Thursday, April 16th
⏰ Time: 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
WICI Talk with Dr. Carey King
“Energy and Economic Complexity: Insights from Data and Macroeconomic Modeling”
Faculty Hall, PSE 7303 | May 13, 2026 | 11:30 am