Patterns in Chaos: Exploring Complex Systems - with Professor Michael Small
From The Random Sample by MACSYS
September 10, 2025 · 45 min · Season 10 · Episode 113
About this episode
Professor Michael Small discusses the complexities of systems and the role of mathematics in understanding them.
What does it really mean for something to be complex - and how can mathematics help us make sense of it? In this episode of The Random Sample , our guest is Professor Michael Small, leader of the Complex Systems Group at the University of Western Australia. Michael’s research uses mathematics to uncover hidden patterns in the chaos of the world around us - from social networks and pandemics to psychiatric illness and engineering problems. Michael also shares candid thoughts on the pressures of academic publishing. Plus, we also dive into the rise of artificial intelligence, where Michael argues AI won’t replace mathematics - but it will change it. It’s a wide-ranging discussion – hosted by Dr Mehwish Nasim, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering at the University of Western Australia. Episode webpage: https://www.therandomsample.com.au/podcast/complex-systems-michael-small/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Dr Mehwish Nasim
Guest: Professor Michael Small
Topics covered
- complex systems
- mathematics
- artificial intelligence
- academic publishing
- hidden patterns
- social networks
- pandemics
Keywords
- complex systems
- mathematics
- artificial intelligence
- academic publishing
- social networks
- pandemics
- engineering problems
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: University of Western Australia, Complex Systems Group
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