Stochastic Decision Making

Portrait of Andrew Plested — Andrew Plested

Portrait of Benjamin Lindner — Benjamin Lindner

Portrait of Janina Kneipp — Janina Keipp

Portrait of Kerstin Kaufmann — Kerstin Kaufmann

Portrait of Maite Wilke Berenguer — Maite Wilke Berenguer

Portrait of Marc Erhardt — Marc Ehrhardt

Portrait of Marina Mikhaylova — Marina Mikhaylova

Portrait of Pawel Romanczuk — Pawel Romanczuk

Portrait of Sebastian Markett — Sebastian Markett

Stochastic Decision Making (SDM) involves making choices in situations where outcomes are uncertain and influenced by random factors. It uses probabilistic models and techniques to analyze potential outcomes and guide informed decisions, especially in complex, unpredictable systems. This contrasts with deterministic decision making, where outcomes are predictable based on known inputs.

We aim to explore SDM from multiple scientific angles and across different scales - from molecules and cells to plants, animals (including humans), and even collective behaviors in groups. But this already raises a fundamental question: What exactly qualifies as a 'decision'? Does it require a certain level of awareness or intentionality? Or can a stem cell 'deciding' to differentiate into a specific cell type also be considered a form of decision making, albeit one grounded in stochastic biological processes?

To tackle these questions - and many more - we’ve brought together a highly diverse group of scientists from a wide range of disciplines, each contributing unique perspectives, methodological strengths, and domain expertise. We’re incredibly excited to begin this journey, and deeply curious to see what emerges when such a variety of minds come together to explore the nature of decisions in living systems.