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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
PhD Project Template
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Use one form per project
Please complete & submit to international@nuigalway.ie as soon as possible, and by 27/11/2012
In your email, begin the subject line with [SWB] (be sure to use square brackets) to ensure that
your email is filed correctly. Emails will be automatically filed
PI name & contact details:
School:
Dr. Petri T. Piiroinen
Email: petri.piiroinen@nuigalway.ie
Phone: +353 91 492341
School of Mathematics, Statistics & Applied Mathematics
Has project been agreed with head (or
nominee) of proposed registration school?
Yes
Research Centre / group affiliation:
CORE - Complex Systems Research Centre
Research group / centre website:
http://nuigalway.ie/core/
PI website / link to CV:
http://www.maths.nuigalway.ie/~piiroinen/
http://www.nuigalway.ie/business-public-policylaw/cairnes/subjectareas/economics/people/sraghav/
http://corrib.it.nuigalway.ie/
Brief summary of PI research / research group / centre activity (2 or 3 lines max):
Dr. Piiroinen (PI) is an applied mathematician who specialises in the analysis of nonlinear dynamics
and the development of mathematical models of dynamical systems.
Dr. Srinivas Raghavendra (co-PI) is an economist that researches in macroeconomic theory,
Computable Economics, Complex Systems and Computational Finance.
Dr. Jim Duggan (co-PI) researches in the area of complex systems modelling, and using
computational methods to support policy design. Application areas include software process
management, epidemiology, infectious disease modelling, and health systems design.
CORE is a multi-disciplinary centre that employs the latest mathematical tools to explore intricate
and challenging societal problems.
Title & brief description of PhD project (suitable for publication on web):
Title: Spatial Economic Development: Mathematical Modelling of Interactions
Description: In the modern era of globalization, spatial agglomeration of economic activities and
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
unequal growth of urban centres have been well researched in the literature on economic growth
and development. In the context of these spatial agglomeration models, and in other international
trade models, the use of network theory has in recent times been the preferred method to analyse
uneven spatial economic dynamics. However, one of the major limitations in these models is that
the nodes are simply individual entities, e.g. a person, a bank, a product or an institution, but does
not capture the multiple attributes that these entities may have because of the interplay between
the socio-economic-political and historical factors in which they are located. Thus the characteristic
and the dynamics of each node may be determined by multiple overlapping networks across space
and time, and also by the dynamic links between these overlapping networks. Independent on what
analysis tools are used there is a need to develop mathematical models for how interactions
between nodes in a network occur as well as models for the interactions between different
overlapping networks. This project would develop such models which can then be used in agentbased simulation methods or statistical-physics approaches to analyse and understand historical
data or to make predictions of future spatial dynamics patterns.
Unique selling points of PhD project in NUI Galway:
This research project, though based on an economic problem, is multidisciplinary by construction.
Since the research will be supervised by a team consisting of an Economist, an Applied
Mathematician and an Information Technology scientist, the student would get in-depth training in
computation, economics, and mathematical modelling. It is quite unique to get in-depth training in
these diverse fields and have such a wide, yet complementary, skill set in a PhD project.
The development of novel mathematical approaches to model human and social behaviours is made
possible at NUI Galway by the interaction of scientists from a range of backgrounds at the Complex
Systems Research Centre. It provides a stimulating and engaging environment in which to address
important issues for society today.
Name & contact details for project queries, if different from PI named above:
Please indicate the graduates of which disciplines that should apply:
Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Economics, Computer Science
Ciência sem Fronteiras / Science Without Borders Priority Area:
Please indicate the specific programme priority area under which the proposed PhD project fits- choose only
one (tick box):
Engineering and other technological areas
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Pure and Natural Sciences (e.g. mathematics, physics, chemistry)/Physical Sciences (Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Geosciences)
Health and Biomedical Sciences / Clinical, Pré-clinical and Health Sciences
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Universidade Nacional da Irlanda em Galway -- Ciência sem Fronteiras
Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), Computing
Aerospace
Pharmaceuticals
Sustainable Agricultural Production
Oil, Gas and Coal
Renewable Energy
Minerals, Minerals Technology
Biotechnology
Nanotechnology and New Materials
Technologies for Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Disasters
Bioprospecting and Biodiversity
Marine Sciences
Creative Industry
New technologies in constructive engineering
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Please indicate which of the following applies to this project (referring to Science Without Borders
arrangements):
Suitable only as a Full PhD (Y/N): _ ____
Available to candidates seeking a Sandwich PhD arrangement (Y/N): _____
Suitable for either/Don’t know: _____