Living Networks: Self-Organization, Manipulation and Information Flow in Neural and Social Systems
An international symposium bringing together experts across physics, data science, neuroscience, law, and social sciences to explore how living networks self-organize, maintain robustness, and respond to manipulation.
Dates
November 30 – December 2, 2026
Location
Manfred-Eigen-Hörsaal, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
University of Göttingen · CIDAS Section "Complexity, Information, Cognition, Society" (CICS) · Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS)
From November 30 to December 2, 2026, at the Manfred-Eigen-Hörsaal (Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany), we bring together international experts across disciplines — including physics, data science, neuroscience, law, and social and political sciences.
With invited keynote and contributed talks, poster presentations, and ample time for interdisciplinary discussion, we aim to sharpen our understanding of how self-organization mechanisms drive structure and information flow in social networks as well as neural networks — with direct implications for understanding disinformation, polarization, and societal resilience.
The symposium is organized by the CIDAS Section “Complexity, Information, Cognition, Society” (CICS), supported and funded by the University of Göttingen, and aims to foster future collaborative research initiatives across disciplines.
Plenary Speakers
Plenary Speakers
Sanja Bauer Mikulovic– Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany & Medical University of Vienna, AustriaWebsite →
Participation is open to researchers and students across disciplines, including complex systems, neuroscience, physics, sociology, law, politics, ecology and beyond.
Registration Deadline: November 10, 2026
Conference Fee: Free of charge / Funded by the University of Göttingen (registration required due to room capacity).
From the central bus station right in front of Göttingen Hauptbahnhof (ZOB / Bahnhof), take bus line 21, 22, or 23 directly to the bus stop “Faßberg” (approx. 15–20 minutes). The MPI-DS campus entrance is located directly adjacent to the bus stop.
By Plane
Frankfurt Airport (FRA): Direct ICE high-speed trains depart from Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof (Terminal 1) directly to Göttingen in under 2 hours without train transfers.
Hannover Airport (HAJ): S-Bahn to Hannover Hauptbahnhof and a 35-minute ICE ride to Göttingen (~1h total).
Hamburg Airport (HAM): S-Bahn to Hamburg Hauptbahnhof + ICE to Göttingen (~2.5 hours total).
Organizing Committee
Prof. Dr. Julia Fischer
German Primate Center (DPZ) / University of Göttingen
Dr. Greta Jasser
Institute for Democracy Research (IfDem) / University of Göttingen
Prof. Dr. Thomas Kneib
Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS), University of Göttingen
Dr. Piklu Mallick
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization
Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization / University of Göttingen