Wisconsin Institute for Discovery

Discovering simplicity in complex systems at the intersection of digital and natural worlds

4 Elements of WID-Interdiscovplinary Research, Inclusive engagement, Grand Challenge, Global Impact

The WID logo, a compass rose, embodies four elements of our outward facing direction–Interdisciplinary Research, Inclusive Engagement, Global Impact, and Grand Challenge–reflecting the Wisconsin Idea to enhance the lives of every person in the State of Wisconsin and around the world.

The Wisconsin Institute for Discovery is an experiment in interdisciplinarity, combining the best minds in new teams with powerful tools that transcend the boundaries of departments and fields to study change in complex systems. Learn more about WID >

Expertise at WID

Stories of Discovery

Research, outreach, and initiatives at WID embody the Wisconsin Idea — reaching beyond the walls of the institute and the UW campus and into the lives of citizens across the state, country, and world.

See more stories >

UW-Madison unveils strategic vision to boost entrepreneurship

Newly appointed special advisor for the entrepreneurial initiative, Jon Eckhardt, will lead efforts to align key stakeholders and explore structures to support the design of a formal campus entrepreneurship platform.

Blurry photo with woman looking at computer

New center to improve robot dexterity selected to receive up to $52 million

Wisconsin Institute for Discovery fellow Bilge Mutlu (People and Robots Lab and INTEGRATE) will support Human AugmentatioN via Dexterity (HAND), an NSF-funded collaboration dedicated to improving robot dexterity with an NSF grant.

New Insights Into Self-replicating Molecules

New research from the David Baum Lab at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery sheds light on how autocatalysis, a key process, played a role in the origins and evolution of life on Earth. The study introduces a new mathematical tool that makes it easier to identify Minimal Autocatalytic Sets (MASs) in Chemical Reaction Networks (CRNs), representing a big step forward in understanding this complex process.

Hub Central at WID acts as integrator for the campus community, generating new ideas that nucleate collaborative research projects. The individual hubs make use of WID expertise in applying specialized tools to a range of problems extending far beyond the scope of WID’s programs.

Explore WID's hubs:

As WID's expertise, campus needs, and scientific trends evolve, new hubs will develop to meet new challenges and opportunities.