Reimagining borders through the complexity lens

This presentation develops a theoretical–conceptual approach to borders grounded in social-science complexity theories. It critiques the vague use of “complexity” in border studies and identifies four prevalent but imprecise conceptualizations. The talk proposes an alternative perspective that understands borders as dynamic, self-organizing assemblages whose non-linear dynamics generate emergent borderness. Without drawing on empirical cases, it outlines core principles for a complexity-oriented border research and offers a refined framework for integrating complexity thinking into border studies.