Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

Exploring Change in Complex Systems

The world’s greatest scientific challenges can’t be met by individual scientists, laboratories, or departments.

The world is changing rapidly due to alterations in our planet and new technology. Climate change and pandemics present existential challenges and new opportunities. How can we learn to respond to a changing world in a manner that amplifies benefits and minimizes harm? Are there lessons in biological and engineered systems that inform one another and facilitate higher levels of performance? If we fail to understand change and learn to anticipate and adapt to it, will our species have a future?

The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery is an experiment in interdisciplinarity, combining the best minds in new teams with powerful tools that transcend the boundaries of departments and fields to study change in complex systems. Learn more about WID >

Stories of Discovery

Research, outreach, and initiatives at WID embody the Wisconsin Idea — reaching beyond the walls of the institute and the UW campus and into the lives of citizens across the state, country, and world.

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Sticking to Success: Unveiling the Surface-Adhesion Superpowers of Bacteria

Scientists at WID, University of Wisconsin–Madison, find that 'stickiness' helps some soil microbes thrive by aiding surface colonization. What makes them sticky?

Stephen Wright Awarded a Hilldale Professorship

Stephen Wright, a Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Fellow and Computer Science professor, has been awarded a Hilldale Professorship for his pioneering work in continuous optimization and machine learning.

Seeking Applications for Art and Science Collaborations

The Marie Christine Kohler Fellows @ WID program, hosted by the Wisconsin...

Expertise at WID

WID researchers make fundamental discoveries at the intersections of disciplines to solve problems that require an interdisciplinary approach.

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Data Science

Precision Medicine

Complex Systems

Emerging Technologies

Discovery Hubs

Hub Central at WID acts as integrator for the campus community, generating new ideas that nucleate collaborative research projects. The individual hubs make use of WID expertise in applying specialized tools to a range of problems extending far beyond the scope of WID’s programs.

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As WID's expertise, campus needs, and scientific trends evolve, new hubs will develop to meet new challenges and opportunities.

Resilience, Robustness, Adaptability – WID Seminar Series

Every month, WID labs present their exploration of change in complex systems focusing on resilience, robustness, and adaptability. A colleague in a different discipline will introduce each talk from their perspective. The talk will take place in the Orchard View Room with light refreshments. There is also a virtual viewing option.

Seminar Archive