The behavior of many real world complex systems are found to undergo sudden changes, without any warning. It is extremely relevant and important to predict such changes both to develop mitigation strategies, and to get insights into the dynamical properties of the system. Such critical transitions are often associated with qualitative changes in the dynamics of the system and exhibit features like critical slowing down, with universal features shared across systems. Crashing of financial markets, depression episodes, unprecedented stellar dimming, or abrupt shifts in an ecosystem etc. are all examples of transitions. The relevant quantifiers that can give insights into these transitions are commonly referred to as Early Warning Signals (EWS). The study and development of EWS present challenges on different fronts, and need to be addressed in multidisciplinary ways with both data analysis and dynamical systems theory.

This satellite event aims to bring together researchers and experts across different fields to facilitate a productive dialogue for invention and improvement of EWS with practical utility, as well as for a deeper understanding of their universal features.