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ECCS'10 Challenge

FGreil_Suggestion03
Drawing by Florian Greil, winner of the ECCS'09 Challenge at Warwick

It is second time that the ECCS challenge is taking place, so let us start a tradition! The objective of the ECCS Challenge is to be the most imaginative that you can, applying what ever knowledge you have in the field of complexity sciences, to tell us something insightful about the data we provide you. Be delighted in having an intimate understanding of the internal workings of systems presented (compare RFC1392 :-)!

What for?

Besides of all the fame the delighted winner obtains a free registration for the Vienna ECCS'11 conference plus travel support of up to 500€.

Where will it appear?

The results of the Challenge will be published in the ECCS'10 webpage and in the ASSYST Newsletter. Also, a detailed report concerning the ECCS'10 Challenge will be included in a future issue of Emergence: Complexity & Organization (E:CO), including a reference to the Challenge participations.

What to do?

The challenge this year consists of three undirected real-world networks with more or less encrypted labels, but we do not tell you what they represent.

Here are some questions to inspire you:

  • What do the networks have in common?
  • Which natural grouping of nodes would you suggest and why?
  • What is your favorite representation for the three networks?
  • Which results do you obtain using your own complex system's toolbox?
  • As add-on: Can you give a nickname for each network?

But be aware that you might also be nominated for an antiECCSaward for the worst "ridiculogram" (how Mark Newman coins the indiscriminate use of obfuscating network diagrams).

We are really looking forward to your contributions. In case it is too easy for you, do not hesitate to ask for another two networks.

Download the Datasets

ECCS'10 Challenge Dataset [zip]

Enter the Challenge

To enter the challenge you need to be at ECCS'10 in September. Only attendants of the conference can enter (although not all team members need to be registered). During September submissions should be sent by email to challenge@eccs2010.eu

Your submission should consist of a 3 page document (PDF) with the description of your findings and also a PDF/powerpoint/keynote presentation (5 slides max) with your findings. You'll have to present your findings during the conference.

Please, don't submit early. Early submissions will be rejected. Submissions will be open from September 1 to September 15. Winners will be announced during the last day of the conference.

Good luck