Emergence invites reflection on the processes through which transformation takes shape, whether at the level of the individual, society, or system. It centers the moment when new forms of identity, knowledge, and organization begin to take hold, often in conditions resistant to change. Rooted in complexity theory, emergence refers to the phenomenon in which novel properties or behaviors arise from the interaction of simpler elements, producing outcomes not reducible to their parts. Within this framework, we consider emergence not simply as an event, but as a dynamic condition, characterized by adaptation, reconfiguration, and resilience. This is reflected in our university flower, the saxifrage or "stone breaker," a plant capable of thriving in the most inhospitable environments, splitting rock as it grows. It serves as an apt metaphor for change that originates not from dominance or disruption, but from persistent, generative pressure.
This theme offers a platform for interdisciplinary exploration of the forces shaping our current moment and the innovations poised to define what comes next. It creates space for discourse on speculative futures, the evolution of civic movements, and the intersections of culture, science, and technology. “Emergence” challenges us to consider how new paradigms are formed and whose voices are included in their creation. In doing so, it affirms that progress is not merely a linear trajectory, but often the result of quiet, persistent efforts that disrupt the status quo from within.
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