Lorentz Center Workshop: Dynamical Systems with a Network Structure

ACDC members Fahimeh Mokhtari and Bob Planqué, together with co-organizers Alex Blokhuis (IMDEA Nanosciencia), Babette de Wolff (University of Hamburg), and Nicola Vassena, are organizing a workshop at the Lorentz Center in Leiden from 7 to 11 September 2026, titled Dynamical Systems with a Network Structure.

The workshop brings together two prominent mathematical communities that have historically developed in parallel: coupled-cell networks (focused on symmetry, bifurcations, and normal forms) and reaction network theory (focused on stoichiometry, algebra, and persistence). Despite sharing biochemical motivations and an emphasis on structured systems, these subfields have largely operated within distinct research traditions.

This workshop aims to bridge these mathematical cultures, fostering dialogue and methodological cross-pollination across natural science applications through introductory tutorials, structured discussions, and focused working groups.

The initiative originated during a visit by Nicola Vassena to VU Amsterdam, supported by the Amsterdam Center for Dynamics and Computation (ACDC).

More information about the meeting and program can be found on the Lorentz Center Workshop Page.

Below is a poster of the event.