The HIERATIC initiative represents a collaborative research endeavor spanning three years, spearheaded by the University of Birmingham, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Chalmers University of Technology, and the University of Sheffield. This significant project is generously funded by the European Union FP7 programme, operating within the domain of the Dynamics of Multi-Level Complex Systems (DyM-CS) call.

With the primary objective of establishing a new conceptual framework for comprehending complex systems as multi-tier hierarchies of interconnected sub-systems through non-linear decompositions, the HIERATIC project aspires to revolutionize the understanding of intricate systems dynamics.

The project is meticulously structured into three interconnected strands of activity, each essential for the realization of its overarching goals:

1. Theoretical Work: Leveraging unconventional methodologies rooted in topology and dynamical systems theory, the project endeavors to devise algorithmic strategies for discerning refined “coarse-grainings” of extensive complex systems. These algorithms are poised to facilitate the development of highly efficient simulation and prediction tools, intricately integrated with the renowned MASON and PRISM software libraries.
2. Software Development: Concurrently, the project encompasses the development of sophisticated, multi-scale simulation and prediction libraries. This phase is dedicated to the creation of efficient software that can effectively manage and represent the intricacies of complex system dynamics at various levels of granularity.
3. Demonstrators: Central to the HIERATIC project’s mission are the illustrative demonstrators, showcasing the practical application of the derived techniques in diverse spheres. The project’s application will be validated through the analysis of extensive empirical datasets, encompassing a diverse array of domains such as network dynamics, cell cycle simulations, and social interactions within animal communities.

This collaborative effort serves as a dynamic convergence point for esteemed researchers specializing in complex systems theory, biosystems, multi-agent simulation, and experimental ecology, hailing from various institutions across the European Union and the United States. This collaboration embodies a pivotal step towards fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies of complex systems dynamics and their practical implications across various disciplines.