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• Feb

  19

  Appl Math: Chaoming Song on "Collective Social Dynamics Through the Lens of Statistical Physics"

  McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: Collective Social Dynamics Through the Lens of Statistical Physics

  Speaker: Chaoming Song, University of Miami (sabbatical at Northwestern University)

  Abstract:

  Social dynamics emerge from the complex interactions among large groups of individuals. Despite their diversity, many social systems exhibit comparable collective behaviors, ranging from sudden shifts in group states to gradual diffusion and spreading processes, analogous to those found in physical systems. These shared patterns provide unique opportunities to apply the tools and principles of statistical physics, including phase transitions, critical phenomena, self-organization, and non-equilibrium processes, to uncover the fundamental mechanisms driving large-scale social phenomena. In this talk, I will present case studies illustrating complex human behaviors across multiple social systems, addressing topics such as opinion polarization, social unrest, and the diffusion of scientific innovation. We conclude with an exploration of social interactions among children in classroom environments, revealing an analogy in which coexistence phases, similar to those observed in multiphase liquid systems, can also emerge in social contexts.

  Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/92094866816

  -----

  To subscribe to the Applied Mathematics Colloquia List send a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.IT.NORTHWESTERN.EDU with the command:

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  more less

  TIME Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

  LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

• Mar

  12

  Appl Math: Xiao Yu Wang on "What the Proposed Credit Card Regulation Really Means for Consumers"

  McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: What the Proposed Credit Card Regulation Really Means for Consumers

  Speaker: Xiao Yu Wang, CRI Foundation

  Abstract:

  My work addresses the need for a theoretical framework to evaluate proposed caps on credit card interest rates and swipe fees by developing a dynamic model that produces usable insights into the patterns and interdependence of consumer spending, credit use, and repayment choices, merchant pricing and competition, and the contract decisions of card issuers. There are several key innovations. First, I derive conditions under which credit cards increase total spending instead of simply reallocating it (rather than assuming one or the other). This is critical since credit cards are a special type of two-sided platform: the lending aspect means there is scope for increasing transaction value beyond the impact of reducing buying frictions. Second, I explicitly model consumer demand given credit access in equilibrium and show how this affects merchant pricing and entry, rather than assuming fixed merchants or that demand and elasticities for goods purchased with credit cards are invariant in consumer wealth. Third, I study which consumers fall into repayment traps and why. Preliminary results identify overlooked mechanisms and externalities which have important implications for the total and distributional impact of rate caps, fee caps, and increased competition, and for optimal regulation of credit cards in general.

  Zoom: https://northwestern.zoom.us/j/93537284594

  -----

  To subscribe to the Applied Mathematics Colloquia List send a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.IT.NORTHWESTERN.EDU with the command:

  SUBSCRIBE esam-seminar FirstName LastName

  more less

  TIME Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

  LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

• Apr

  2

  Appl Math: Oleg Kirillov on "Title TBA"

  McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  11:15 AM M416, Technological Institute

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: TBA

  Speaker: Oleg Kirillov

  Abstract: TBA

  Zoom: TBA

  -----

  To subscribe to the Applied Mathematics Colloquia List send a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.IT.NORTHWESTERN.EDU with the command:

  SUBSCRIBE esam-seminar FirstName LastName

  more less

  TIME Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

  LOCATION M416, Technological Institute    map it

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

• May

  13

  Appl Math: Melanie Mitchell on "Title TBA" - Reiss Lecture

  McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  11:15 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: Title TBA - Reiss Lecture

  Speaker: Melanie Mitchell, Santa Fe Institute

  Abstract: TBA

  Zoom: TBA

  -----

  To subscribe to the Applied Mathematics Colloquia List send a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.IT.NORTHWESTERN.EDU with the command:

  SUBSCRIBE esam-seminar FirstName LastName

  more less

  TIME Wednesday, May 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

• May

  14

  Appl Math: Melanie Mitchell on "Title TBA" - Reiss Lecture

  McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)

  11:15 AM

  EVENT DETAILS

  Title: Title TBA - Reiss Lecture

  Speaker: Melanie Mitchell, Santa Fe Institute

  Abstract: TBA

  Zoom: TBA

  -----

  To subscribe to the Applied Mathematics Colloquia List send a message to LISTSERV@LISTSERV.IT.NORTHWESTERN.EDU with the command:

  SUBSCRIBE esam-seminar FirstName LastName

  more less

  TIME Thursday, May 14, 2026 at 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM

  ADD TO CALENDAR

  CONTACT Anne Umbanhowar    anne.umbanhowar@northwestern.edu EMAIL

  CALENDAR McCormick-Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics (ESAM)