This page contains additional information to that in the main page             Curriculum abreujat             Divulgacio

Short biography Joaquim Fort (1966) graduated in Physics at the Universitat de Barcelona (1989). Master in Cosmology at Tufts University (USA, 1991) with a Fulbright fellowship. Master in Physics (1993) and PhD in Physics (18/04/1997) at the Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona. Associate professor (since 1999) and full professor (since 2009) of Physics at the University of Girona. Author of over 100 research papers in scientific journals, including Proceedings of the Academy of Sciences of the U.S. (PNAS) and Physical Review Letters. He has directed large research projects on prehistoric simulation, funded by the European Commission (2006-2010) and the Spanish Consolider program (2011-2017). Double ICREA Academia Award in Humanities (2014 and 2021).

Research interests Although initially trained as a physicist, Fort has applied his background to the Humanities during the last two decades. His main contribution has been a new mathematical theory that computes the relative importance of the diffusion of populations and the diffusion of ideas in the spread of the Neolithic in Europe (PNAS 2012). Since year 2014 he has applied his theory to Neolithic transitions in other continents, and since year 2017 to explain the geographic distribution of genetic traits. Previously he worked on a time-delayed theory of the Neolithic transition (since 1999), palaeolithic waves of advance (2004), cohabitation models (since 2007) and age-dependent effects (2010). His present research interests include cultural evolution (since 2011) and language substitution (since 2012). These works have been featured by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Society for American Archaeology, the American Physical Society, the UK Institute of Physics, etc.


2021 ICREA Academia award (2022-2026)
2014 ICREA Academia award (2015-2020)
2009 Full professor (Catedratic d'universitat), Physics, University of Girona
1999 Associate professor (Professor titular d'universitat), Physics, University of Girona
1997 Ph D (Doctor), Physics, Autonomous University of Barcelona
1993 M Sc (Master), Physics, Autonomous University of Barcelona [2-year degree]
1991 M Sc (Master), Physics, Tufts University, Boston [2-year degree], Fulbright fellowship (beca de La Caixa)
1989 B Sc (Llicenciat), Physics, Universitat de Barcelona [5-year degree]

CONFERENCES (research) 57. Fort J    Interbreeding and demic diffusion in the spread of the Neolithic in Europe    World Neolithic Congress 2024, Harran University, Sanliurfa (Turkey), 04-08/11/2024 [invited talk]    Organizers: Harran University and Instanbul University 56. Fort J    Modelling the spread of the Neolithic in the western Mediterranean    SIMEP - Social Interactions in Mediterranean Prehistory, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona (Spain), 21-23/10/2024 [invited talk]    Organizer: Institucio Mila i Fontanals (CSIC) 55. Pardo-Gordo S, Fort J    Frente de avance, sumatorios de probabilidad radiocarbonica y velocidades de expansion neolitica en la Peninsula Iberica    VIII Congreso Internacional del Neolitico en la Peninsula Iberica, Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares (Spain), 11-13/09/2024 [talk]    Organizer: Universidad de Alcala 54. Fort J, Perez-Losada J    Simulating the neolithic spread along the northern Mediterranean coast    30th EAA annual meeting, Rome (Italy), 28-31/08/2024 [invited talk]    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 53. Fort J    Neolitico en el Mediterraneo: velocidad, efecto cultural, genetica, mezcla de poblaciones    Seminario NeoNet "Conexiones en el sur de Europa durante el Neolitico", Universidad de Alcala, Alcala de Henares (Spain), 25-26/04/2024 [invited talk]    Organizer: Red de investigacion 2022 "Conexiones en el sur de Europa durante el Neolitico -Neonet-" (RED2022-134436-T) 52. Perez-Losada J, Fort J    Diffusion of humans out of Africa and the phonemic diversity cline    Diffusion-Fundamentals X Conference, Tashkent (Uzbekistan), 06-08/09/2023 [poster]    Organizers: New Uzbekistan University, Greater Eurasia Research Center & Saxon Academy of Sciences 51. Fort J    What do archaeological and genetic data tell us about the dispersal and interbreeding behaviour of early Mediterranean farmers?    29th EAA annual meeting (p. 270), Belfast (northern Ireland), 30/08-2/09/2023 [invited talk]    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 50. Fort J    The spread of the Neolithic. General laws in prehistory?    Workshop Environmental conditions in prehistory (c. 10,000 BP - present) - ecology, carrying capacity, and the landscape: integrating regional models and developing global databases'    Kiel University (Germany), 09/12/2022 [invited talk]. Organizer: ROOTS cluster of excellence 49. Fort J    Two ABM approaches to the spread of the Neolithic in the western Mediterranean    28th EAA annual meeting (p. 185), Budapest (Hungary), 31/08-03/09/2022 [invited talk]    video    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 48. Fort J, Perez-Losada J    An ABM approach to the Neolithic spread in Europe and an ancient genetic cline    27th EAA annual meeting (p. 200), Kiel (Germany), 06-11/09/2021 [invited talk]    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 47. Fort J, Perez-Losada J    Computational modelling of Neolithic spread: Archaeology and Genetics    48th CAA international conference 'Digital crossroads' (p. 93), Limassol (Cyprus), 14-18/06/2021 [invited talk]    Organizer: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA International) 46. Fort J    Demic versus cultural Neolithic diffusion in mainland Europe and Scandinavia: archaeology and genetics    1st Conference on the Early Neolithic of Europe (p. 4), Barcelona, 06-08/11/2019 [invited talk]    Organizer: Archaeology of Social Dynamics Research Group, Instituci Mil i Fontanals (CSIC) 45. Fort J    Neolithic spread rates at different scales: Europe and the Near East versus the Mediterranean    47th CAA international conference (p. 51), Krakow, 23-27/04/2019 [invited talk]    video    Organizer: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA International) 44. Fort J, Kohler T A & Blake M    The spread of maize cultivation in America: quantitative analyses    24th EAA annual meeting (p. 267), Barcelona, 05-08/09/2018 [invited talk]    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 43. Fort J    The spread of the Neolithic in Europe: simulations versus archaeological and genetic data    24th EAA annual meeting (p. 183), Barcelona, 05-08/09/2018    video    Organizer: European Association of Archaeologists (EAA) 42. Fort J    Diffusion versus dispersal wave-of-advance models and Neolithic spread    46th CAA international conference, abstract (pp. 5 & 58)    Universitat T bingen, Germany, 19-23/03/2018 [invited talk]    video    Organizer: Computer Applications and Quantitative Methods in Archaeology (CAA International) 41. Fort J    Demic-cultural models, archaeology and genetics of Neolithic spread    Workshop Theoretical Models of Cultural Evolution during Modern Human Dispersals    Meiji University, Tokyo (Japan), 27-29/11/2017 [invited talk]    Organizers: Cultural History of PaleoAsia project and Meiji University 40. Fort J, Rioja V L, Isern N, Cobo J M    The Neolithic Transition in Europe: Archaeology versus Genetics    82nd SAA annual meeting (p. 66), Vancouver (Canada), 29/03-02/04/2017 [invited talk]    Organizer: Society for American Archaeology (SAA) 39. Isern N, Rioja V L, Fort J, Cobo J M    Ancient DNA and the spread of the Neolithic in Europe    Musee de l Homme, Paris, 7-9/12/2016 [poster]    DNA polymorphisms in human populations (pp. 32 & 36)    Organizer: Franz Manni, National Museum of Natural History (Paris, France) 38. Perez-Losada J, Fort J    Support for a linguistic serial founder effect originating in Africa    Musee de l Homme, Paris, 7-9/12/2016 [poster]    DNA polymorphisms in human populations (pp. 32 & 36)    Organizer: Franz Manni, National Museum of Natural History (Paris, France) 37. de Rioja V, Isern N, Fort J, Cobo J M    Virus therapy of glioblastomas    Universit t Erlangen-N rnberg, Erlangen (Germany), 25-28/09/2016 [poster]    Annual meeting of the German Biophysical Society (p. 38)    Organizer: German Biophysical Society 36. Isern N, Fort J    Neolithic-Mesolithic space competition in northern Europe    Barcelona, 24-26/05/2016 [poster]    How wrong is my model? Empirical Challenges in Archaeology, History, and Anthropology    Organizer: SimulPast Consolider project 35. Fort J    Demic and cultural models of Neolithisation    University of Ljubljana, Slovenia, 6-7/11/2015 [opening speaker]    22nd Neolithic seminar: modelling the process of Neolithisation    Organizer: Department of Archaeology, University of Ljubljana 34. Fort J    The Neolithic transition: diffusion of people or diffusion of culture?    Universtat Dresden (Germany), 24/08/2015 [plenary lecture]    Diffusion-Fundamentals VI Conference    Organizers: Technische Universitat Dresden & Sachsische Akademie der Wissenschaften zu Leipzig 33. Fort J    Neolithic transitions: demic or cultural?    80th SAA annual meeting, San Francisco, 16/4/2015 [invited talk]    Organizer: Society for American Archaeology (SAA) 32. Fort J    Modelling Neolithic transitions at continental and regional scales    University College London, 19/2/2015 [opening speaker]    Simulating the Neolithic workshop    Organizer: Institute of Archaeology, UCL 31. Fort J    Neolithic transitions: demic diffusion, cultural diffusion and cultural evolution    Imperial College London, 8-9/9/2014 [keynote speaker]    The connected past meeting 2014    Organizer: The connected past community 30. Isern N , Fort J, Carvalho A, Gibaja JF, Ibañez JJ.    Early Neolithic in Iberia. Testing the hypotesis of an African entrance    University of Burgos, 1-7/9/2014 [talk]    XVII World UISPP Congress    Organizer: Union International de Sciences Pr historiques et Protohistoriques (UISSP) 29. Fort J, Jerardino A, Isern N    Demic versus cultural diffusion in the Neolithic transition in Europe and southern Africa    University of Burgos, 1-7/9/2014 [talk]    XVII World UISPP Congress    Organizer: Union International de Sciences Pr historiques et Protohistoriques (UISSP) 28. Perez-Losada J, Fort J.    Structured-population models of the Neolithic transtition    University of Burgos, 1-7/9/2014 [poster]    XVII World UISPP Congress    Organizer: Union International de Sciences Pr historiques et Protohistoriques (UISSP) 27. Isern N, Fort J    Modelling cultural shift: Application to language decline and extinction    Barcelona, 1-5/9/2014 [talk]    Social Simulation Conference (SSC 2014)-Simulating the Past to Understand Human History (SPUHH)    Organizer: European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) 26. Fort J, Jerardino A, Isern N, Rondelli B    Population spread and cultural transmission in Neolithic transitions    Barcelona, 1-5/9/2014 [talk]    Social Simulation Conference (SSC 2014)-Simulating the Past to Understand Human History (SPUHH)    Organizer: European Social Simulation Association (ESSA) 25. Fort J Synthesis between demic and cultural diffusion in the Neolithic transition in Europe    Barcelona, 19 September 2013 [talk]    European Conference on Complex Systems (ECCS'13), satellite meeting Complex Systems in prehistoric research    Organizer: The Complex Systems Society. 24. Fort J Simulating expansive phenomena in Archaeology    Barcelona, 27-28 September 2012 [talk]    3rd SimulPast plenary workshop    Organizer: Facultat de Geografia i Hist ria, Universitat de Barcelona. 23. Amor D R, Fort J Modelling Vesicular Stomatitis Virus infection fronts: the key role of the delay time    Portland (Oregon, USA), 17-18 Dec 2011 [talk]    International Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology    Organizer: University of Portland. 22. Amor D R, Fort J Cooperation enhancement by probabilistic punishers in a mobile population    Portland (Oregon, USA), 17-18 Dec 2011 [poster]    International Symposium on Biomathematics and Ecology    Organizer: University of Portland. 21. Fort J Modelling the Neolithic transition in the Near East and Europe    Barcelona, 20 July 2011 [talk]    SimulPast seminar 'The Neolithic frontier: new models and data for Europe and Asia'    Organizers: Casa sia and CSIC. 20. Amor D R, Fort J Effects of punishment in a population of mobile prisoner's dilemma players    Rutgers (New Jersey, USA), 19-21 Dec 2010 [short talk]    104th Statistical Mechanics Conference    Organizer: Rutgers University. 19. Fort J Demic versus cultural diffusion in the Neolithic transition in Europe    Newcastle, 14-16 April 2010 [talk]    4th International FEPRE Workshop (Formation of Europe: Prehistoric Population Dynamics and the Roots of Socio-Cultural Diversity)    Organizer: Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Newcastle University. 18. Isern N, Fort J Realistic dispersion kernels in reaction-dispersion equations. Application to the Neolithic    Huelva, 10-12 sept 2009 [poster]    FISES 2009, XVI Congreso de F sica Estad stica    Organizer: Universidad de Huelva. 17. Fort J Data and mathematical approaches to the neolithic transition   Girona, 16 March 2009 [talk]    3rd International FEPRE Workshop (Formation of Europe: Prehistoric Population Dynamics and the Roots of Socio-Cultural Diversity)    Organizer: Complex Systems Lab. 16. Fort J Recent progress in modelling human population fronts    Saint Petersburg (Russia), 6-10 April 2008 [talk]    2nd International FEPRE Workshop (Formation of Europe: Prehistoric Population Dynamics and the Roots of Socio-Cultural Diversity)    Organizer: Institute of Material Culture (Russian Academy of Sciences) & Saint Petersburg Univ. 15. Fort J Prospects in mathematical modelling of human migrations    Manchester (England), 26-27 March 2007 [talk]    1st International FEPRE Workshop (Formation of Europe: Prehistoric Population Dynamics and the Roots of Socio-Cultural Diversity)    Organizer: School of Mathematics, Manchester University. 14. Fort J Mathematical models of Neolithisation    Manchester (England), 26-27 March 2007 [talk]    1st International FEPRE Workshop (Formation of Europe: Prehistoric Population Dynamics and the Roots of Socio-Cultural Diversity)    Organizer: School of Mathematics, Manchester University. 13. Pujol T, Fort J, Gonzalez J R, Velayos J Determinacion de los limites en la velocidad de propagacion de los frentes y pulsos de combustion      V Jornadas Nacionales de Ingenieria Termodinamica , Vigo, 14-15 Junio 2007 [talk]     Organizer: Universidad de Vigo    ISBN: 978-84-95046-31-4, p. 58 12. Pujol T, Fort J, Gonzalez J R, Montoro L, Pelegri M An lisis comparativo sobre diferentes metodos numericos en frentes y pulsos de combustion      V Jornadas Nacionales de Ingenieria Termodinamica , Vigo, 14-15 Junio 2007 [talk]     Organizer: Universidad de Vigo    ISBN: 978-84-95046-31-4, p.59 11. Pinhasi R, Fort J, Ammerman A J Demic diffusion 35 years later, re-examining the 'Wave of advance' model    Ljubljana, 10-13/11/2005 [talk]    12th Neolithic Seminar: Prehistoric Gene Flow and Cognitive Evolution: Inferences on the Neolithisation of Eurasia    Organizer: Department of Archaeology, University of Ljubljana. 10. Jana D, Fort J On Mott conductivity exponents of pseudo-gap amorphous systems      Condensed Matter days 2004 , North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong (India), Aug 25-27 2004 [talk]    Organizer: Dept of Physics, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong (India)    Frontiers in Condensed Matter Physics Research, ed. John V. Chang, Nova Science Publishers, New York, pp. 111-128 (2006). ISSN 1-59454-829-3 9. Campos D, Fort J, M ndez V, Ortega-Cejas V Effect of time-delay on reaction-diffusion wavefronts modeling biological invasions     2nd. International Conference on Mathematical Ecology , Alcal de Henares (Spain), Sept 5-9 2003 [poster]     Organizer: Universidad de Alcal 8. Fort J, M ndez V, Campos D, Ortega-Cejas V Physical models of biological systems. Theory versus experiment      8th. Joint European Thermodynamics Conference, UAB, Bellaterra (Spain), 2003 [talk]    JETC8 Proceedings, Bellaterra (Barcelona) 2-5 Sept 2003, vol. I, pp. 69-74    Organizer: Grup de F sica Estad stica (UAB) & Centre Europ en de R flexion et d'Etude en Thermodynamique 7. Cukrowski A S, Fort J, Fritzsche S Simple models for nonequilibrium effects in bimolecular chemical reactions in a dilute gas    14th Marian Smoluchowski Symposium on Statistical Physics, Zakopane (Poland), Sept 9-14 2001 [poster]    Organizers: Silesian Univ, Jagellonian Univ, Krak w Inst Phys & Katowice Inst Phys    Acta Phys. Polon. B 33, 1085-1102 (2002). ISBN: 0587-4254 6. Roura P, Costa J, Lopez-de-Miguel M, Garrido B, Fort J , Morante J R, Bertran E    Black-body emission from nanostructured materials    Spring Meeting of the European Materials Research Society, Strasbourg (France), 16-19 June 1998 [talk]    in Light emission from Silicon: Progress towards Si-based optoelectronics (Elsevier), Eur. Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 77 [J. Lumin. 80], 519-522 (1999),    ISBN: 978-0-08-043604-3 5. Costa J, Fort J, Roura P, Viera G, Bertran E, Froyen L      Microstructural study of mechanically allowyed aluminium with nanometer size Silicon Carbide powder    in Metal Matrix Composites, Proc. 1998 Powder Metallurgy World Congress, Granada (Spain), vol. 5, 110-115 (1998) [talk]    ISBN: 1-899072-09-8. Oct. 18-22 1998    Organizer: European Powder Metallurgy Association 4. Costa J, Fort J , Roura P, Froyen L, Viera G, Bertran E       Mechanical alloying and sintering of aluminum reinforced with SiC nanopowders produced by PECVP    Advanced Ceramics and Composites Congress, Stuttgart (Germany), Sept. 13-15 1998 [poster]    Organizer: Univerity of Stuttgart & Max Planck Institute for Materials Research      IEKC6-ACCC 98 Book of abstracts, p.20 3. Costa J, Fort J , Suñol J J, Roura P, Viera G, Bertran E     Thermal desorption of H in Si and SiC nanoparticles grown by PECVP    Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, San Fracisco (USA), April 13-17 1998 [talk]    Mat. Res. Soc. Symp. Proc. 513, 427-432 (1998). ISBN: 0272-9172 1   2   3   4   5   6   2. Fort J    Information statistics and the effect of heat conduction on the chemical reaction rate in dilute gases      10th Marian Smoluchowski Symposium on Statistical Physics, Zakopane (Poland), Sept 1-10 1997 [talk]      Organizer: Jagellonian Universisty & Krak w Institute of Physics      Acta Phys. Polon. B 29,1633-1646 (1998), ISBN: 0587-4254 1. Roget E, Fort J , Poch J    Hydrodynamics of shallow lakes subject to wind: gyres and geometry    III International Congress on Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Hamburg (Germany), July 3-7 1995 [talk]    Organizer: Gesellschaft f r Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik (GAMM).      ICIAM 95 Book of abstracts, p.418    ICIAM/GAMM 95 Proceedings, vol. 5: Applied Sciences, especially Mechanics (Akademie Verlag, 1996), 147-148 (ISBN 3-05-501749-8)

ORGANIZATION OF INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS
5. Scientific Committee member and organizer of the session 'The spread of farming and herding in different parts of the globe', World Neolithic Congress 2024, Harran University, Sanliurfa (Turkey), 04-08/11/2024
4. Scientific Committee member and organizer of the session 'Advances in social interaction modelling', Social Interactions in Mediterranean Prehistory, CSIC, Barcelona (Spain), 21-23/10/2024
3. Program Committee member, Simulating the Past to Understand Human History, Social Simulation Conference 2014, Univ. Autonoma de Barcelona (Spain), 01-05/9/2014
2. Program Committee member, Complex systems in prehistoric research, European Conference on Complex Systems ECCS 13, Barcelona (Spain), 16-20/9/2013
1. President of the organizing committee, Third International FEPRE workshop on the Neolithic transition, Girona (Spain), 16-18/03/2009

SEMINARS 15. Fort J Neolithic spread dynamics: archaeology, genetics and linguistics Institute of Modern Languages and Linguistics (IMOLL) and Research Institute of Intelligent Complex Systems, Fudan Univeristy (China), 08/05/2024 14. Fort J Neolitic: arqueologia, genetica i models fisics Traces que ens defineixen com a humans. Pint of Science Girona, 23/05/2023 13. Fort J Neolitic: difusio de cultura i de gens. Models quantitatius Cicle de xerrades per a estudiants de Batxillerat. Un dia en la @UdGRecerca Girona, 26/04/2023 12. Fort J Dispersio poblacional a la prehistoria Una historia matematica. Pint of Science Girona, 15/05/2018 11. Fort J Population and cultural dynamics in the Neolithic transition Institute of Archaeology, University College London. London, 23/01/2013 10. Fort J Equacions de reaccio-dispersio i aplicacions. Dept Fisica, UdG. Girona, 20/10/2004 9. Fort J Bioinvasions i clima    Cosmocaixa (Museu de la Ciencia). Barcelona, 11/11/2003          Curs: El clima que canvia. Una aproximacio multidisciplinaria al canvi climatic i els seus efectes 8. Fort J Mecànica estadística interdisciplinar: velocitat de fronts biològics, migratoris i culturals. UdG, 24/07/2002          Curs d'estiu "La F sica del Segle XXI a l'abast de tothom". Fundaci Universitat de Girona-Innovaci i Formaci 7. Fort J    Teoria versus experiments en expansions d'humans, animals i virus, Fac. Ciencies Salut i Vida, Univ. Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, 20/03/2002 6. Fort J    Temperature and measurement in quantum systems, Dept. Física, Univ. Autòn. Barcelona, 22/10/1998 5. Fort J    Maximum entropy in chemically reacting systems and radiation, Inst. Phys. Chem., PAS, Warsaw (Poland), 10/11/1997 4. Fort J    Some applictions of information theory in chemical physics, Inst. Chemistry, Pedagogical Univ., Kielce (Poland), 03/11/1997 3. Fort J    Mecànica estadística de no equilibri: aplicacions a la radiació termica, Dept. Fisica, Univ. Girona, 07/06/1997 2. Fort J    The tunneling boundary condition in quantum cosmology, Dept. Física Fonamental, Universitat de Barcelona, 17/01/1991 1. Fort J    Caustics and the Hartle-Hawking wavefunction, Dpt. of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Boston (USA), 06/06/1990