CALL FOR PAPERS AND SYMPOSIA

We invite interested scholars to present and discuss recent developments in nonlinear dynamical system theory, which includes chaos theory, fractals, complex systems and related topics. Over the years, the annual conferences of the Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology & Life Sciences have inspired and supported scholars from an array of disciplines to look at new ways to develop their theoretical and empirical work in an integrated approach to life sciences.

The Society for Chaos Theory in Psychology and Life Sciences is a multidisciplinary organization. The topics covered by the conference include applications of nonlinear dynamics theory and techniques to problems encountered in any area of the behavioral, social and life sciences including psychology, sociology, economics, econophysics, management sciences, anthropology, aesthetics, education, biology, physiology, ecology, neuroscience and medicine. One or more of the following nonlinear concepts must be an explicit part of the presentation: attractors, bifurcations, chaos, fractals, solitons, catastrophes, self-organizing processes, cellular automata, agent-based models, network analysis, genetic algorithms and related evolutionary processes, dynamical diseases, or closely related constructs. The broad mixture of the disciplines represented here indicates that many bodies of knowledge share common principles.

The program will include workshops, invited addresses, symposia, panel discussions, a poster session, and sessions of individual papers. Advances in basic or applied research, developments in theory, reports of empirical results and methodological papers are all welcome. We continue to encourage all nonlinear scientists, including graduate students who might be finishing up a dynamical thesis or dissertation, to consider sharing their ideas through paper presentations, chairing a roundtable session, or by proposing other alternative presentation formats, such as posters, product demonstrations, short workshops, or debates around controversial topics.

VENUE

Our meetings will be held at the beautiful campus of The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21218.  Orange is about 45 minutes north of Washington DC, and is serviced by the Baltimore-Washington International Airport. We will be using the newly renovated facilities of JHU for as our primary lodging. Additional information about these facilities and local alternative hotels will be posted to the lodging page of this conference web site.

 INSTRUCTIONS FOR ABSTRACTS

Abstracts should be between 150-250 words for posters, individual papers, short workshops and other alternative formats. The connection to nonlinear dynamics, chaos, complexity, fractals or related concepts should be clear to the reader. Include organizational affiliation and contact information on each speaker or author. 

Abstracts may be up to 500 words for symposia or panel discussion. For symposia, abstracts should reflect the content of EACH speaker's contribution. The format for a symposium is for all speakers to give presentations, followed by or interspersed with discussion. Symposia should present current research within a coherent theme defined by the title and abstract.

For experimental work, the background, aims and framework, methods and samples, results, conclusions and Implications should be clear to the reader. For theoretical work, the background, aims and framework, mode of inquiry, outcomes, conclusions and implications should be clear to the reader.

Abstracts for panel discussions should provide a brief overview of the topic, and indicate the relevant background of the panelist and sample questions they will address. The format for a panel discussion is an introduction to the topic and the speakers, after which the panelists address as series of questions or issues (rather than just giving a series of presentations).

Abstracts for workshops should present state-of-the-art information on techniques useful for conducting research or applications of nonlinear science in the behavioral, social and life sciences. They should be pedagogical in nature. Where applicable, the abstract should emphasize skills that attendees can expect to acquire.

For all abstracts: The connection to nonlinear dynamics, chaos, complexity, fractals or related concepts should be clear to the reader. Please stress what is the overall value added to the field (e.g. new method, new information, new perspective or issue, valuable confirmation of the present knowledge, adds clarity to present understanding).  Also, please indicate on the submission form which of the following categories is representative of your submission: 

Check all that apply:  1) Empirical (e.g., presentation of empirical results of a study), 2) Theoretical (e.g., empirically testable theoretical development), 3) Applied (e.g., organizational, business, product development or marketing, or involving clinical interventions), 4) Quantitative (e.g., computational or statistical modeling); 5) Qualitative (e.g., non-quantitative analysis of empirical data); 6) Philosophical or artistic (e.g., epistemology, philosophy of science, aesthetics, or audio-visual demonstrations)”

Each person submitting is limited to a maximum of two presentations as first author. It is acceptable to be a co-author on additional work submitted by others.  

**Trouble submitting?**  If your submission is recieved successfully you will be taken to a confirmation page, with a link to follow for any future edits.  If you have repeated trouble making your submission, as a back-up option please feel free to send all of the relevant submission information directly to David Pincus:  pincus@chapman.edu,  the conference chair, who can make sure that your submission is successfully loaded into the system.

The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2012.

*Early birds will receive acceptances after March 20th*

Abstract should be submitted electronically by visiting:

http://www.societyforchaostheory.org/conf/2012/cfp

PUBLICATION OPPORTUNITY

All presenting conferees are further invited to prepare their papers for review and possible publication in the Society's research journal Nonlinear Dynamics, Psychology, and Life Sciences. NDPLS is peer-reviewed and abstracted in PsycInfo (Psychological Abstracts), Medline (Index Medicus), JEL/Econlit, MathSciNet, and other important databases. NDPLS uses American Psychological Association (APA) style. Click JOURNAL on the SCTPLS web site to access Instructions for Authors. All SCTPLS members receive NDPLS and the SCTPLS Newsletter as a benefit of membership. NDPLS accepts manuscripts all through the year, but please use October 1, 2011 as the target date for submitting conference-related papers; the journal would like to have as many articles based on conference presentations as possible ready for the same issue.