Emergence is a central concept in modern science. In the physical world emergence leads to novel collective behaviour, and surprising phenomena arising from interactions between basic building blocks – the bouwstenen that give NWA Route-2 its name. Mathematically, emergence shows itself as limiting behaviour in classes of models and theories. Emergence has been the main driver behind many recent fundamental questions in the natural and mathematical sciences, including:
• the quest to understand how space, time, gravity and the universe seem to emerge from almost nothing
• how matter at all scales organizes itself into different phases, exhibiting myriad properties including those similar to living systems
• how mathematical insights into universal mechanisms of emergence - ranging from spectral theory through network analysis, to information theory and hydrodynamic limits – can provide a common language for emergent phenomena.
Beyond the natural sciences, emergence is playing an increasingly central role in the social and economic sciences and also inspires many, including artists and the public at large. This resonance forms the bedrock of our societal impact plan. Scientifically, this consortium's research programme Emergence at All Scales addresses the fundamental questions posed above, meshing perfectly with the NWA Route 2 Game-changer, the Dutch Institute for Emergent Phenomena (DIEP). This NWA-ORC consortium will transform DIEP, putting Dutch emergence research on the map as an internationally recognised, national research centre focussed on understanding emergence and emergent phenomena across disciplinary boundaries by combining mathematics, physics, astronomy, chemistry as well as the history and philosophy of science. Throughout our scientific programme, engagement and two-way interaction with society is integrated through citizen science, societally-driven research, science-inspired art, science communication and education. We aim to inspire, inform and educate, but also to listen, collaborate and co-create, leading to scientific breakthroughs and closer ties between science and society.
