i-CONN is structured around seven work packages and key research themes:

WP1

Development of the theory underpinning connectivity

Led by

Marc Hütt

Jacobs University

WP2

Development of a unified framework of methods and approaches that may be applied across disciplines

Led by

Vicky Papadopoulou Lesta

European University Cyprus

WP3

Exploring Applications of connectivity science to understand and manage complex systems

Led by

Christian Kimmich

Masaryk University

WP4

Training

Led by

John Wainwright

Durham University

WP5

Management

Led by

Laura Turnbull-Lloyd

Durham University

WP6

Creating transdisciplinary capacity and uptake of research outcomes generating by i-CONN

Led by

Louise Bracken

Durham University

WP7

Open Research Data

Led by

Jennifer King

Durham University

Research Themes

The research projects are aligned with the work packages and broadly fall into 5 key themes:

Network graphs are a key tool to analyse interactions between a set of entities. i-CONN projects will investigate structural connectivity/functional connectivity relationships on graphs with a focus on minimal models and self-organized collective patterns.

ESR 2

Minimal models of dynamics on networks to study generic SC/FC relationships

ESR 3

Self-organized collective patterns on graphs

ESR 4

Catastrophic transitions: Regime shifts in network topology resulting in novel systems

Network structure depends partly on the scale at which the fundamental unit of the network is represented. i-CONN projects will investigate how the representation of the fundamental unit impacts our understanding of system dynamics at larger spatial scales, and will explore how the structure and properties of networks can be used to determine how shifts in network topology can result in novel systems.

ESR 11

Connectivity within network processes and coupling with global flows

ESR 14

Understanding the emergence of connectivity science in practice: a network of network colleagues

ESR 15

Use connectivity science to determine the fate (source-pathway-interceptors) of specific diffuse chemicals and pathogens in the water supply chain

ESR 6

Scaling connectivity science in fluvial systems

Central to i-CONN is establishing a set of common methods that can be used to investigate connectivity-related research questions across wide-ranging disciplines. i-CONN projects will delve into classic and powerful techniques related to complex systems, including graph theory, probability theory and statistics, as well as modern and promising ones such as Network Science, machine learning and data mining techniques and tools.

ESR 5

Analysis of multi-frequency dynamic coherence networks in large-scale electrophysiological recordings

ESR 7

Structure in patterns in ordered datasets with applications in astrophysics, neuroscience and archaeology

Critical nodes are widely considered to be a set of nodes whose deletion results in maximum fragmentation of the network. i-CONN projects will explore how critical nodes within a range of different types of complex systems become key processing points in space and time that shape system evolution and how they might be manipulated to alter system dynamics.

ESR 1

Spatial and temporal roles of critical nodes in ecogeomorphic systems

ESR 12

Flows of critical (energy) resources

ESR 9

Critical nodes in economic connectivity: A multi-method application to facilitate structural transitions

Changes to structural and functional connectivity within a system can have affect the resilience of different system components. I-CONN projects will explore how network measures can be used to identify changing connectivity properties that impact resilience.

ESR 10

Hotspots and hot moments: the role of connectivity and resilience science for managing human-impacted catchment systems

ESR 13

Resilience of human interactions with new landscapes

ESR 8

Changing connectivity properties impacting resilience in riverine landscapes as socio-ecological systems