‘The Reductionism/Holism Conundrum’, where a synonym might be: ‘When enough is (or not) enough’

This theme encompasses the classic/typical “INDABA Challenge” and potentially most options of (Natural) Science. Speakers are invited and challenged to present their research and argue more widely why it is broad enough or too wide/narrow and needs to be broadened or expanded.

The hope is to challenge all delegates in the typical INDABA fashion (see page on the History of previous INDABAs) across the hard (Natural), and even the “softer” (eg. Economics, Humanities) sciences. When are you as a researcher comfortable that you have gone (statistically) broad enough using methods which are broad enough to reach realistic conclusions? Or should you go even wider, and if so, how? What are the limiting factors? Since the Indaba series of meetings have always been quite focused on structural aspects of matter [from atoms to biology; see also “History”], some topics relevant to these spring to mind and are included and highlighted below. However, the vast array of other hard (and soft) sciences equally fit well into the theme of INDABA 10. 

You are invited to submit an abstract for consideration, either for oral or poster presentation. Please note that there are very few oral slots available for contributed talks. However, all poster presenters will have the opportunity to do a flash presentation before the poster session starts. A template for the abstract can be downloaded from the link at the bottom of the page. Submission for oral and poster presentations is required before 31 March 2026. Only one presentation per delegate will be allowed.

Below a few topics to start the debate:

• Atoms, ions and molecules vs supramolecular clusters
• Molecular and local structure vs structure-property relationships
• Identical molecules with multiple polymorphs
• Local bonding motifs vs emergent properties of polymorphism, pseudosymmetry, magnetism, ferroelectricity, solid-state reactions and phase transformations
• Solid state structures (vs solution behavior)
• Medicines (treating something but causing additional secondary effects to require yet another drug) and medicine development
• Climate change
• (Simplification of) Biological processes
• Reaction Mechanisms (product analysis vs time resolved mechanistic studies)
• Catalysis, metal beneficiation and other industrial processes
• Simplifying processes in nature (e.g. simple high/low tide determination/prediction: where, a > 50 equation-model is actually required)’
• Computational Chemistry (Molecular Mechanics vs Ab Initio)
• Weather forecasting; disaster management…
• Gravitational waves
• Too complicated/ simplified mathematical models
• Simplified Geo processes…
• Management strategies in Business, Industry (and even Universities)

Some more ideas for discussion include:

• When is a fitted line (straight, curved) to (some) data points appropriate to describe the function using the best crystal in a batch and assume all other crystals are the same.
• Using simpler compounds to mimic proteins
• Models to calculate gas uptakes in MOFs
• Assuming in vivo stability of medicinal complexes
• Using simplified assumptions from electrochemistry
• ‘Happy’ with 50% yields in synthetic chemistry and concluding reaction mechanisms from that?

Or, surprise us with a topic that may be your pet interest!

Oral presentations
A notebook PC, data projector, screen and flip chart will be available for oral presentations. MS Office (Powerpoint) and Adobe Acrobat running under MS Windows 10 will be available on the notebook PC. Speakers should bring a copy of the presentation with them on USB Flash Drive) and are requested to load their presentations on the laptop in the break before their presentation. Speakers are requested to strictly adhere to the prescribed time limits for their presentations (please check the programme) and should allow time for questions (ca 5 minutes) within those limits.

Posters
Poster presenters will have to prepare a flash presentation of maximum 3 minutes and 2 PowerPoint slides. All posters have to be mounted on the poster boards supplied by 12:00 on Monday 12 October. The dimensions should be kept within the prescribed format of A0 (maximum), portrait orientation. Self-adhesive Velcro strips will be supplied to fix the poster to the board; no pins are allowed.

Picture of lion: Braga Dario, Indaba 9