Events
Past Event
NICO SUMMER SEMINAR: Ludo Waltman, Leiden University "Revealing the Fine-Grained Structure of Science"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
11:00 AM
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Lower Level Chambers Hall
Details
Title:
Revealing the Fine-Grained Structure of Science
Speaker:
Ludo Waltman - Centre for Science and Technology Studies (CWTS), Leiden University in the Netherlands
Talk Abstract:
In this talk, I provide an overview of my research on studying the fine-grained structure of science. I discuss the clustering techniques that I have developed for identifying research topics at a highly detailed level of granularity. These techniques clusters scientific publications based on data from large-scale bibliometric databases. Recent algorithmic advances make it possible to identify many thousands of research topics throughout all fields of science in computing times of less than one hour. I also discuss a new methodology for determining the relative accuracy of different approaches for identifying research topics. Finally, I show practical examples illustrating how a fine-grained analysis of the structure of science allows us to address many types of policy relevant questions, for instance related to the identification of emerging research topics and the detection of interdisciplinary connections between research fields.
Time
Friday, June 23, 2017 at 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
Lower Level Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
WED@NICO SEMINAR: Mayank Agrawal, Proof of Human "The Invisible Turing Test for the Internet"
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)
12:00 PM
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Lower Level, Chambers Hall
Details
Speaker:
Mayank Agrawal, Co-founder and CEO, Proof of Human
Title:
Proof of Human: the Invisible Turing Test for the Internet
Abstract:
This presentation introduces the Process Turing Test, a new framework for distinguishing humans from AI that goes beyond linguistic output to analyze behavioral dynamics. As LLMs routinely pass text-based Turing Tests, we need methods that probe the underlying architecture of intelligence through perception, control, and decision-making patterns. Using process tracing data from canonical cognitive tasks, we demonstrate how behavioral embeddings capture computational signatures unique to human cognition. This provides robust proof-of-personhood that resists adversarial attacks while revealing fundamental principles about how humans and machines process information differently.
Speaker Bio:
Mayank Agrawal is the co-founder and CEO of Proof of Human, a research and deployment company building the proof-of-human layer in digital identity. The company develops high-impact research and translates that work into systems for bot detection, fraud prevention, and continuous authentication. Mayank’s work focuses on new approaches to distinguishing humans from AI through behavioral and cognitive signals. He earned his PhD in Psychology and Neuroscience from Princeton University, where he studied computational models of human decision-making with Jonathan Cohen, Tom Griffiths, and Nathaniel Daw. His research spans cognitive science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, with work published in Science, PNAS, and Psychological Review. He previously studied Computer Science and Philosophy at Swarthmore College.
Location:
In person: Chambers Hall, 600 Foster Street, Lower Level
Remote option: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/96392420891
About the Speaker Series:
Wednesdays@NICO is a vibrant weekly seminar series focusing broadly on the topics of complex systems, networks, and artificial intelligence. It brings together attendees ranging from graduate students to senior faculty who span all of the schools across Northwestern, from applied math to sociology to biology and every discipline in-between. Please visit: https://bit.ly/WedatNICO for information on future speakers.
Time
Wednesday, November 11, 2026 at 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Lower Level, Chambers Hall Map
Contact
Calendar
Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO)