The Winter Workshop on Complex Systems 2026 brought young researchers to Mallorca for its 11th edition
Feb. 2, 2026
- A week-long intensive workshop fostered interdisciplinary collaboration, scientific independence, and lasting international networks among early-career researchers in complexity science.
- Held in the Serra de Tramuntana, the event combined cutting-edge research, mentorship from leading scientists, and a unique natural setting to spark new scientific projects.
The Winter Workshop on Complex Systems 2026 (WWCS) took place from 25 to 30 January 2026 at the Santuari de Lluc, a historic monastery located in the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana. Over the course of one week, early-career researchers from around the world gathered in this unique setting to develop original, interdisciplinary research projects in the field of complex systems.
Now in its 11th edition, the Winter Workshop on Complex Systems once again confirmed its role as a reference meeting for young scientists interested in complexity science. The workshop was conceived as an intensive and highly collaborative experience, in which participants proposed their own research ideas, formed international teams, and worked together to explore new questions at the intersection of physics, mathematics, social sciences, biology, and data science. Many of the projects initiated during the week were designed to continue beyond the workshop and followed the path of previous editions, which have led to publications in high-impact journals such as Physical Review E, Scientific Reports, and International Interactions.
The WWCS was built on a set of core values that have defined it since its origins. Created by early-career researchers following the Santa Fe Institute Summer School on Complex Systems in 2014, the workshop promoted scientific independence, encouraging participants to freely explore and develop their own ideas. Diversity and inclusivity were also central to the event, reflected in the wide range of academic backgrounds, disciplines, and countries represented. To ensure accessibility, the workshop maintained a low registration fee, and financial support was available for selected participants.
A key component of the program was the participation of invited speakers, who presented state-of-the-art research and provided close mentorship throughout the week. The 2026 edition featured contributions from Rafael Prieto-Curiel (OECD, World bank), whose work focuses on urban dynamics, violence, and mobility; Carmen Cabrera-Arnau (University of Liverpool), an expert in human mobility and network analysis; Luis F. Seoane (IBE, UPF-CSIC), whose research spans computational neuroscience, evolutionary dynamics, and linguistics; and Maxi San Miguel (IFISC, UIB-CSIC), a leading figure in statistical physics, complex networks, and computational social science.
Recognized with the Service Award of the Complex Systems Society in 2022, the Winter Workshop on Complex Systems continued in 2026 to strengthen its position as a key platform for young researchers to explore new research directions, build international collaborations, and contribute to the future of complexity science.
