Clarkson Researchers Release Software to Discover Causal Patterns in Complex Data
Clarkson University researchers have developed scientific software that helps scientists and industry leaders uncover causal associations in real-world data. The tool, created by researchers at Clarkson’s Center for Complex Systems Science (C3S2), is based on algorithms pioneered by the late Erik M. Bollt, W. Jon Harrington Professor of Mathematics at Clarkson University and Director of C3S2, ensuring his groundbreaking research is available for future generations.
While correlation is often mistaken for causation, the software provides a mathematical framework to distinguish the two. By implementing Bollt’s algorithm, the program offers users guarantees about identifying causal links between datasets — an advance with wide-ranging applications across science and industry.
“This software makes advanced causal analysis accessible to a much broader community and ensures Erik’s research is available for future generations” said Kevin Slote, postdoctoral researcher at C3S2, who plans to maintain the software longterm. “By providing a vetted implementation of Bollt’s algorithm, we are giving researchers and practitioners a reliable tool they can trust to help answer complex questions in their fields.”
The applications of the software are extensive. Collaborators are already using it to analyze neurological data, seeking to identify causal pathways in the brain that contribute to epileptic seizures. Another example application is in climate science, where a meteorologist might test how high-pressure systems in the Pacific Ocean influence rainfall in California. This algorithm applies to any situation where a holdout test group (such as in a double-masked placebo trial) is expensive or impossible to gather. Beyond these examples, the software applies wherever timelines of measurements need to be compared — from financial markets to engineering systems.
The project highlights Clarkson University’s and Erik Bollt’s role at the forefront of interdisciplinary research. By combining theoretical breakthroughs with practical, publicly available software, the team hopes to build a strong user base and support new discoveries across domains.
The work also underscores Clarkson’s commitment to innovation through its Center for Complex Systems Science, which brings together experts in mathematics, engineering, computer science, and physics to tackle complex problems facing society.
The software and full documentation are available to the public on the Causation Entropy website.
