About NICO
NICO's mission is to incubate innovative collaborations that leverage complexity, networks, and artificial intelligence to address societal challenges. The Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO) was founded in 2004 with the goals of uncovering fundamental principles that govern complex systems in science, technology, and human behavior.
NICO is a collaboration between the McCormick School of Engineering and the Kellogg School of Management.
Announcements
The lastest news and events from the NICO.
Learn more
Daniel Abrams Named NICO Codirector
Daniel Abrams has been named co-director of the Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO), effective February 1, 2023, succeeding Luís A.N. Amaral.
NICO Interdisciplinary Research Networking Luncheon Groups
Networking luncheons have been meeting since 2017 to facilitate networking among faculty, stimulate discussion of significant and emerging research areas, and advance interdisciplinary research.
Apply to Open Positions at NICO
NICO is seeking exceptional candidates for Post Doctoral Fellows and research assistance in computational social science, science of science, and complex systems.
News & Events
News
NUCATS x NICO Symposium Sparks Interdisciplinary Collaboration
The Symposium to Empower High-Priority Research Collaborations, hosted in February 2026 by NUCATS and NICO, focused on addressing critical challenges in human health and disease through team-based approaches.
Progression Without Progress
What happens when AI systems move from assisting to conducting science? Julio M Ottino and Brian Uzzi examine the challenges of using AI in “end-to-end science” systems in this Science editorial.
Nature Might Have a Universal Rhythm
In a new study published in PLOS Biology, NICO researchers Guy Amichay and Daniel Abrams find that communication signals across a wide range of species tend to repeat at about 2 hertz, or roughly two beats per second.
ScienceAdviser: The uneven toll of NIH grant cuts
Cuts to NIH grants in 2025 hit women researchers harder than male investigators, according to research by Brian Uzzi and colleagues, published in PNAS.
Upcoming Events
Spring 2026 Commencement
June 14
All Day
Juneteenth - University Closed
June 19
All Day
Independence Day (observed) - University Closed
July 3
All Day
Fall 2026 Classes Begin
September 23
All Day
Connect with NICO
NICO Listserv
Subscribe to the NICO Listserv and receive information about the Wednesdays@NICO Speaker Series, Data Science Nights, and other NICO news and events.
NICO Reading Group
The NICO reading group meets regularly over lunch to discuss recent papers, fundamentals, and emerging trends in complexity research.