Brennan Klein

Brennan Klein is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the Department of Physics at Northeastern University, with dual affiliations at the Network Science Institute and the Institute for Experiential AI. He concurrently serves as Data for Justice Fellow at Harvard University's Institute on Policing, Incarceration, and Public Safety within the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. As director of the Complexity & Society Lab (&-Lab), he leads interdisciplinary research bridging network science, complex systems theory, and social justice applications.

Education:

• PhD in Network Science, Northeastern University (2020)
• BA in Cognitive Science & Psychology, Swarthmore College (2014)

Dr. Klein's research program integrates two complementary strands: developing theoretical frameworks for characterizing dynamics, structure, and scale in complex networks, and applying these tools to analyze systemic inequalities in public health and criminal justice systems. His work combines information theory, Bayesian inference, and network science to uncover emergent mechanisms driving social phenomena while developing practical interventions for more equitable systems.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trajectory connecting fundamental network theory with real-world societal challenges. His work spans sports analytics, pandemic response modeling, criminal justice reform, and consciousness studies, demonstrating both methodological innovation and practical impact across diverse domains. The publications consistently feature interdisciplinary collaboration and emphasize both theoretical advancement and social application.

Scientific Recognition:

• Best paper award for 'Spin glass systems as collective active inference' (2023)

Dr. Klein actively mentors PhD students and postdoctoral researchers through the Complexity & Society Lab, fostering collaborations across physics, data science, sociology, and public policy. His research has secured funding for projects addressing criminal justice reform, public health infrastructure, and sports analytics applications, demonstrating the practical relevance of his theoretical work.

The Complexity & Society Lab operates at the intersection of theoretical network science and social impact, with current projects examining urban infrastructure networks, criminal justice disparities, sports performance analytics, and neural network structures. This integrative approach reflects Dr. Klein's commitment to advancing both scientific understanding and social progress through network science.