Evolutionary
Game Theory, Natural Selection, and Darwinian Dynamics Workshop
Adelaide, October 13th and 14th, 2005
The Verco Room, Hanson Institute, Frome Rd, Adelaide
Sponsored by University of South Australia and
Supported by the Hanson Institute
About the Workshop
All of life is a game and evolution by natural selection is no exception. The evolutionary game theory presented in this workshop provides the tools necessary for understanding many of natures mysteries, including coevolution, speciation, extinction and the major biological questions regarding fit of form and function, diversity, procession, and the distribution and abundance of life. Mathematics for the evolutionary game are developed based on Darwin's postulates leading to the concept of a fitness generating function (G-function). G-function is a tool that simplifies notation and plays an important role developing Darwinian dynamics that drive natural selection. Natural selection may result in special outcomes such as the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS). An ESS maximum principle is formulated and its graphical representation as an adaptive landscape illuminates concepts such as adaptation, Fishers Fundamental Theorem of Natural Selection, and the nature of lifes evolutionary game.
The approach used is unlike many others intended for the study of evolution. It may be thought of as a workshop on mathematical Darwinism. Darwin used logical verbal arguments to understand evolution. These arguments are presented here in a mathematical setting useful for not only understanding evolution but allowing for prediction as well. The focus is on phenotypes rather than genes. While genes are critical as the recipe for inheritance, it is the heritable phenotype that forms the interface between the organism and its environment.
The content of the workshop is split up into six lectures and two discussion periods. Numerous examples will be provided.
First day of workshop
- Introduction to Evolutionary Games
- Break
- The G-function Method
- Lunch
- Darwinian Dynamics
- Break
- Discussion
Second day of workshop
- Evolutionarily Stable Strategies and the ESS Maximum Principle
- Break
- Speciation and Extinction
- Lunch
- Applications
- Break
- Discussion
Participants will receive a copy of the book, Evolutionary game theory, natural selection, and Darwinian dynamics .
Presenter
Dr. Vincent is professor emeritus with the Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the University of Arizona, where he received his Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering (1963). He taught at the University for 41 years. He currently serves on the editorial board of Optimal Control Applications and Methods, Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications, Nonlinear Dynamics and System Theory. His main research interests are in the area of Nonlinear Control System Design, Optimal Control and Game Theory, and Evolution and Adaptation of Biological Systems. He has 156 publications including 81 journal articles, and 9 books. Dr. Vincents latest book, Evolutionary game theory, natural selection, and Darwinian dynamics is coauthored with Joel Brown with the University of Illinois at Chicago. This book will be used as the major reference for the workshop.
Who Should Attend?
Persons interested in the subject of evolution in its many contexts including theory and applications will be interested in this workshop. Individuals with knowledge of ecology, applied mathematics, game theory, economics, or management (of biological systems) will find the workshop to be of interest
Prerequisites
Material will be presented under the assumption that the participants will have diverse backgrounds. Anyone familiar with ordinary differential equations will have sufficient mathematical expertise to benefit from the workshop. The material presented has several layers of mathematical depth. Participants with limited mathematical background can still access the majority of the concepts and topics in this workshop. The more mathematically advanced participants will appreciate the unifying approach that leads to the more complicated topics such as multistage systems and non-equilibrium dynamics.
Venue
The event will be held in the General Purpose building, Level 1, Room GP1-08, Mawson Lakes Campus of the University of South Australia. Lunch and two coffee breaks will be provided.
Adelaide Information
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia, and is a city of approximately one million people, with three universities and two Science Parks. The city of Adelaide is situated on St. Vincent Gulf in South Australia and has a Mediterranean style climate with hot dry summers and mild winters. Popular activities including wine tasting in the Barossa and Clare Valleys and the Southern Vale Districts, where many of Australias finest wines are made. There are numerous sightseeing and bush-walking opportunities in the Adelaide Hills, with Cleland Conservation Park and the magnificent Warrawong Sanctuary among the most popular attractions. There is easy access to the nearby Southern coast with whale spotting at Victor Harbor one of the most rewarding activities.