Appl Math: Chaoming Song on "Collective Social Dynamics Through the Lens of Statistical Physics"
Thursday, February 19, 2026 |
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM CT
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
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