Higher-Order Network Collective Dynamics and Social Contagion

The project, referring to FIS sections 2.1 "Higher-order dynamical framework" and 2.2 "Higher-order spreading processes", aims to generalize the study of collective dynamics and depolarization from pairwise networks to higher-order systems with group interactions. The activity focuses on three axes: (i) collective motion on hypergraphs, deriving predictions for flocking transitions and new dynamical phases; (ii) spreading processes and social contagion on higher-order substrates, including polarization and echo-chamber formation; (iii) opinion dynamics and depolarization under group social influence, using spectral methods on hypergraph Laplacians. The methodology combines analytical tools, numerical simulations, and data-driven analysis, with emphasis on reproducible scientific software. Expected outcomes include a general theoretical framework, predictions for phase transitions, and scientific outputs in the form of articles, presentations, and open-source software.