<div dir="ltr">////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>                        PhD Studentship<br><br>    Sustainability, Tipping Points and Interventions in Ecosystems<br><br>              University of Hertfordshire<br>             Centre for Future Societies Research<br>                University Alliance (UA)<br>        Doctoral Training Alliance in Future Societies<br><br>            Supervision: Jan T. Kim (<a href="mailto:j.t.kim@herts.ac.uk">j.t.kim@herts.ac.uk</a>)<br>                   Daniel Polani (<a href="mailto:d.polani@herts.ac.uk">d.polani@herts.ac.uk</a>)<br><br>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>Application deadline: 22. April 2022<br>Bursary GBP 15,609 p.a.<br><br>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>THE RESEARCH<br><br>Concerns over the "growth philosophy of economy highlights the<br>critical role of sustainability for long-term stability and survival<br>of civilisation. However, the concept of sustainability is not well<br>defined. We aim to substantially advance theoretical approaches to<br>quantify sustainability using information- and control-theoretic<br>methods.<br><br>We will specifically focus on information-theoretic measures,<br>including empowerment, which has found use for modeling agents in<br>current Machine Learning, AI and Artificial Life to characterize the<br>impact of interventions to capture criteria concerning sustainability<br>for system requiring long-term viability.<br><br>The proposed project will study measures that quantify how well a<br>system is under control and provide early warning signs on approaching<br>tipping points. This project aims to develop characterization of<br>sustainability in larger dynamical systems, including characterization<br>of the stability of attractors, presaging tipping points and the<br>capacity for effective intervention. We will evaluate it w.r.t. its<br>applicability to scenarios which may including agriculture,<br>ecosystems, health, energy or transport networks and other complex<br>systems.<br><br>Selected References:<br><br>- Kim and Polani (2009), Exploring Empowerment as a Basis for<br>  Quantifying Sustainability<br>  <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4937690">https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/4937690</a> <br>- Kim and Polani (2020), Quantifying Sustainability in a System of<br>  Coupled Tipping Elements<br>  <a href="https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9308385">https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9308385</a><br><br>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>THE APPLICANT<br><br>We invite PhD applications to investigate this topics. You are<br>interested in quantifying sustainability using state-of-the-art<br>methods, especially focused on (but not limited to) information theory<br>and dynamical systems.<br><br>There is the opportunity for you to link these questions towards<br>biological and/or Artificial Life and ecological, but also economical<br>models, as well as towards other models of complex societies.<br><br>You should have a very strong first degree; a very keen interest and<br>motivation in delving into and contributing to a fresh, stimulating<br>and fast-moving research area. An outstanding background in one of the<br>following or a related field is essential: Computer Science, AI,<br>Machine Learning, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics, Mathematical<br>Modelling or any other relevant discipline with a considerable<br>quantitative/computational component. You will have excellent<br>programming skills in at least one major computer language. A<br>mathematical/numerical background would be highly desirable. Knowledge<br>in at least one of the following fields would be a strong plus:<br>probability, information and/or dynamical systems theory. Data<br>modelling/neural network techniques are a plus.<br><br>////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>THE ENVIRONMENT<br><br>The envisaged research will take place in the framework of the Centre<br>for Future Societies Research for three fully funded PhD studentships<br>at the University of Hertfordshire. These research studentships will<br>be part of the University Alliance (UA) Doctoral Training Alliance in<br>Future Societies, hosted by the Centre of Future Societies. <br><br>You will have the opportunity to work in association with the the<br>vibrant and enterprising environment of the SEPIA (Sensor Evolution,<br>Processing, Information and Actuation) subunit of the Adaptive Systems<br>Research Group in the School of Computer Science at the University of<br>Hertfordshire.<br><br>Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has<br>been recognized as excellent by the latest Research Assessment<br>Exercise, with 50% of the research submitted being rated as<br>internationally excellent or world leading.<br><br>The University of Hertfordshire provides a very stimulating<br>environment, offering a large number of specialised and<br>interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher<br>development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in<br>the green belt just north of London. Hatfield is close to Central<br>London (less than 25 minutes by direct train to Kings Cross), with<br>convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow airports, and, via<br>the nearby historic town of St. Albans, also to Gatwick airport.<br><br>For informal inquiries and more information about the topics, please contact:<br><br>Dr. Jan Kim (<a href="mailto:j.t.kim@herts.ac.uk">j.t.kim@herts.ac.uk</a>)<br>Prof. Dr. Daniel Polani (<a href="mailto:d.polani@herts.ac.uk">d.polani@herts.ac.uk</a>)<br><br>/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>THE APPLICATION<br><br>Application forms and submission instructions are available under <br><br><a href="https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-for-future-societies-research/phd-studentships-2022">https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-for-future-societies-research/phd-studentships-2022</a><br><br>For details, click on the "Sustainability, Tipping Points and<br>Interventions in Ecosystems" section. Also, when applying, mention<br>"Sustainability, Tipping Points and Interventions in Ecosystems" in<br>your application.<br><br>See also: <br><br>  - <a href="https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CND466/three-fully-funded-phd-research-studentships-in-future-societies">https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CND466/three-fully-funded-phd-research-studentships-in-future-societies</a><br>  - <a href="https://www.findaphd.com/phds/program/three-fully-funded-phd-research-studentships-in-future-societies/?i313p5611">https://www.findaphd.com/phds/program/three-fully-funded-phd-research-studentships-in-future-societies/?i313p5611</a><br></div>