Higher-order and classical networks

Mercoledì 22 Luglio 2026, con inizio alle ore 16:00, presso l'Aula T del DFA, su invito del Prof. Vito Latora, il Dr. Sandro Meloni (Institute for Cross-Disciplinary Physics and Complex Systems (IFISC), and Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) terrà un seminario dal titolo Higher-order and classical networks.

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Abstract: 
Higher-order interactions (HOIs) have emerged as a powerful framework for describing collective phenomena beyond the scope of classical networks. However, fundamental questions remain regarding the novel phenomena they generate, their relationship to pairwise models, and whether they can be reliably inferred from empirical data. In this talk, I will discuss recent advances addressing these questions from the perspective of statistical physics and network science. First, I will show how certain classes of HOI dynamics can be mapped onto equivalent pairwise models. Next, I will demonstrate how synergistic interactions across orders give rise to stretched criticality and Griffiths-like slow dynamics. Finally, I will turn to ecological systems, where I will present a fundamental problem of mechanistic identifiability: distinct interaction mechanisms can generate nearly indistinguishable dynamics. Together, these results highlight both the opportunities and the limitations of higher-order descriptions, emphasizing the need to distinguish genuinely novel collective phenomena from effective pairwise representations.