Date/Time
Date(s) - 21/11/2025
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Speaker: Chris Bauch (University of Waterloo)

Location: Hamilton Hall, Room 305

Title: Tipping points in complex natural systems 

Abstract: Dynamical transitions in complex systems continue to garner attention from mathematicians, on account of both their fascinating behaviour as well as their applications to sustainability and human health.  Many of these systems can be characterized as coupled human-and-natural systems, where there is a two way feedback between some nonlinear natural system and a nonlinear human system.  A familiar example is the COVID-19 pandemic, where a pandemic wave could drive widespread adoption of infection control measures but, as case incidence dropped, the subsequent relaxation of these measures fostered conditions for the next pandemic wave.  In this talk, I will provide an overview of some of my research on mathematical modelling of regime shifts in epidemiological and environmental systems, including coupled social-epidemiological and social-environmental systems.  Methods include dynamical systems models, bifurcation theory, evolutionary game theory, and data-driven dynamical systems approaches assisted by deep learning.  Specific study systems span pediatric infectious diseases, ecological systems, and global climate systems. The material will be accessible to upper-year undergraduate students in mathematics and statistics. 

 

Coffee will be served in HH 216 at 3:00pm. All are welcome!