Complex Systems Grand Challenges Lake Arrowhead April 27, 2007

Premises Responding to NSF solicitation will be facilitated by a “big idea” Big ideas can be framed as grand challenges Challenge involves building something big, but there can be many contributing streams of research, the results of which are incorporated in the solution

Grand Challenges Modeling rapid change of systems –For example, in educational systems –Trading off efficiency and agility Engineering education in a flat world –1M Asian engineers vs. 65K US engineers –K-12 feeders of engineering education –Factors beyond the education system

Grand Challenges How to produce smart, knowledgeable, curious, and inspired Americans –Without significant disparities Governance of public sector service delivery systems –To foster innovations –Using data without violating privacy Advances needed in computational science to address social problems

Grand Challenges High-fidelity simulations of social systems –Decision Theatre Force DMs to address difficult tradeoffs –24 hour response to disaster “Cars” quality simulation in 24 hours –Pandemic response – see MIDAS (mult. models) –Stability operations –Increase comm. & collaboration across stakeholders –Use for decision making, training, and education –Team with ICT, game companies

Next Steps Post on website Create WIKI Ongoing work on challenges