Events
Past Event
Wednesdays@NICO Seminar: Peter Dodds, University of Vermont
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
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Lower Level Chambers Hall
Details
Wednesdays@NICO Seminar | 12:00-1:00 PM, September 30, 2015 | Chambers Hall, Lower Level
Peter Sheridan Dodds, Director, Complex Systems Center & Professor, Mathematics & Statistics, University of Vermont
Measuring the Happiness, Health, and Stories of Populations
Abstract
In this talk, I will discuss our work on building what we call "lexical meters"---online instruments that use social media and other texts to quantify population rates of a wide array of human behaviour such as wealth, exercise levels, obesity rates, and sleep insufficiency. I will first showcase our hedonometer, an instrument for measuring positivity in written expression. I'll show how we have consistently improved our methods to allow us to explore collective, dynamical patterns of happiness found in massive text corpora including Twitter, song lyrics, works of literature, movies, political speeches, and news sources. I will present evidence for how 10 diverse natural languages appear to contain a striking frequency-independent positive bias, describing how this phenomenon plays a key role in our instrument's performance, and how it may more deeply reflects human nature. I will then discuss our work on building the Panometer, introducing our latest instrument: the Lexicocalorimeter, a principled meter that turns phrases into calories. Finally, I will point to a number other diverse projects being carried by our team in the Computational Story Lab, ranging from the stories of sports to the dynamics of climate change.
Bio
Peter Sheridan Dodds is a Professor at the University of Vermont (UVM) working on system-level problems in many fields, ranging from sociology to physics. He is Director of the UVM's Complex Systems Center, co-Director of UVM's Computational Story Lab, and a visiting faculty fellow at the Vermont Advanced Computing Core. He maintains general research and teaching interests in complex systems and networks with a current focus on sociotechnical and psychological phenomena including collective emotional states, contagion, language, and stories. His methods encompass large-scale sociotechnical experiments, large-scale data collection and analysis, and the formulation, analysis, and simulation of theoretical models. Dodds's training is in theoretical physics, mathematics, and electrical engineering with extensive formal postdoctoral and research experience in the social sciences. Dodds has received funding from NSF, NASA, ONR, and the MITRE Corporation, among others, notably being awarded an NSF CAREER by the Social and Economic Sciences Directorate.
Email nico@northwestern.edu if you would like to meet with Professor Dodds.
Time
Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, March 30, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 6, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, April 27, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
Data Connection Hub - April Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
Details

The Data Connection Hub is being created as a transdisciplinary space which builds communication, understanding, and relationships across a variety of stakeholders while also highlighting local community-engaged and participatory data science efforts. Our monthly meetings and the accompanying Slack communities are meant to be broadly inclusive, and we welcome students and faculty from all Chicagoland Institutions, as well as community partners and those who wish to learn more.
This hub is jointly organized by the CONNECT Research Program and the Metropolitan Chicago Data-Science Corps Program.
Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3XkaSKc
Time
Friday, April 28, 2023 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 11, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
NICO Reading Group - Weekly Thursday Meeting
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
5:00 PM
//
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library)
Details

The NICO Reading Group is a community of individuals who are passionate about the intersection of complexity, data science, machine learning, and deep learning. We are an interdisciplinary and cross-departmental group, comprising staff, faculty, undergraduates, and graduate students from various schools and departments, including Kellogg, McCormick, Feinberg, and Weinberg. Our backgrounds range from data science, mechanical engineering, material science, computer science, physics, and mathematics.
Our discussions focus on fundamental and state-of-the-art techniques in complexity science and deep learning, covering topics such as data science, deep learning, AI for scientific knowledge discovery, computational modeling, and material design. We strive to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which everyone can contribute to the discussion, regardless of their level of expertise.
Our goal is to foster mutual understanding and personal connections among people from different schools and departments who share a common interest in complex science and AI.
For more information, contact Xiaoyu Xie at XiaoyuXie2020@u.northwestern.edu
Meeting Times:
Date: Every Thursday during the 2023 winter and spring quarters.
Time: 5-6pm
Place: Mudd Library or the Garage. This location changes weekly. Please contact Xiaoyu Xie for the specific location.
Time
Thursday, May 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location
Mudd Hall ( formerly Seeley G. Mudd Library) Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)