Using computational simulations of complex networks, we recently demonstrated that
structural features of networks can influence the evolution of cooperative behaviors
such as altruism and reciprocity - independent of the strategic characteristics of
the actors. The paper was published in the journal Emergence: Complexity & Organization.
My work with Doug Yarn on inter-group conflict, apology, and forgiveness was published in Duke's Law and
Contemporary Problems. The article, along with the other contributions to the volume as pdfs, is available here.
Recent Talks
I gave a 8 minute (O.K., 8 and a half minute) talk on the evolution of complexity and "Rethinking Individuality"
at TEDxAtlanta hosted by Unboundary.
Read an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article about the event here. Watch the introductory video from
Awesome Incorporated here.
I gave an extended version of my talk "Rethinking Individuality" at the Harvard Law School in conjunction with the Annual Dispute Resolution Works-in-Progress conference sponsored
by the Program on Negotiation.
Elinor Ostrom and Jeff Stake at Indiana recently hosted a workshop on "Context and the Evolution of Mechanisms
for Solving Collective Action Problems" together with Vernon Smith and the Gruter Institute. I discussed my work with Sarah Brosnan
examining the influence of social network architecture on food sharing in chimpanzees. Our working paper is available
here.
I had a great time with Glenda Eoyang and Howard Gadlin talking to ombudsmen at the National Institutes of Health
about viewing their work as "Dispute Networks," and considering the complex, nonlinear consequences of this conception.
What's New
My work related to the use of autonomous agents for heuristic design was published in the new book
on negotiation pedagogy edited by Chris Honeyman, James Coben & Giuseppe De Palo and available from DRI Press.
This compilation resulted from an amazing meeting in Rome last year supported by the JAMS Foundation
and attended by more than 50 of the leading scholars on negotiation and conflict resolution. All of the contributions
are available as pdfs here.
This summer, I attended the Summer School on Global Sustainability at the
Santa Fe Institute.
