2010 LINKS Center workshop on social network analysis

Online registration is now open for the 2010 LINKS Center summer workshop on social network analysis. The workshop will be held June 7-12, 2010 on the University of Kentucky campus. The workshop features multiple sessions, some of which run concurrently. The schedule is as follows.

Refresher Sessions (1-day) Mon June 7

• Networks for Novices. A simple introduction to the social network field by Dan Brass, Ginny Kidwell and Travis Grosser
• Graphs and Matrices. Elementary graph theory and matrix algebra taught by Steve Borgatti, Rich DeJordy and Dan Halgin
• Stats 101 for Networks. Statistics refresher specifically aimed at preparing participants to learn SIENA and exponential random graph models (ERGM/p*). Taught by Martina Morris

Main courses (3-day) Tue June 8 through Thu June 10

• Introduction to Network Analysis. 3-day introduction to the analysis of social network data using UCINET and NetDraw. Taught by Rich DeJordy and Dan Halgin
• Advanced Network Analysis. Topics include analyzing network change, multiple relations, 2-mode data, and advanced centrality measures. Taught by Steve Borgatti
• Stochastic Modeling of Networks. The first two days, taught by Christian Steglich, are on using the SIENA model for analyzing longitudinal data. The third day, taught by Martina Morris, are on using exponential random graph models (ERGM) to model networks

Application Areas (1-day) Fri June 11

• Security. Network analysis in the context of national security and crime-fighting. Taught by Kim Glasgow
• Organizations. Network analysis used in the context of organizations and management. Both the academic research side and the consulting applied side will be covered. Taught by Steve Borgatti
• Health. Network analysis in the context of public health. Both research and applied topics will be covered. Taught by Tom Valente

Works-in-Progress Conference (1-day) Sat June 12

• A forum for workshop participants to present network research in progress and receiving expert feedback. Led by Joe Labianca

1-on-1 Research Development Sessions (appointments available every day)

• An opportunity to meet 1-on-1 to discuss your research with Ajay Mehra

Fulltime students pay only half price. This year we are imposing a limit of approximately 50 participants in each session (except the conference, which is unlimited), so register early.

Visit the workshop website for full details:

http://www.linkscenter.org/workshops/

Talk by Tiziana Casciaro Nov 20th

Tiziana Casciaro (University of Toronto) will be presenting her paper titled "The co-evolution of instrumental and affective content in intraorganizational task-related networks: A theory of affective primacy" on November 20, 2009, 10:00 am in Rm 446. Here is her abstract:

THE CO-EVOLUTION OF INSTRUMENTAL AND AFFECTIVE CONTENT IN INTRAORGANIZATIONAL TASK-RELATED NETWORKS: A THEORY OF AFFECTIVE PRIMACY

Tiziana Casciaro, University of Toronto

Abstract
To better understand the structuration of task-related networks in organizations, we develop a theory of the co-evolution of instrumental and affective content in task-related ties. We test this theory with longitudinal whole-network data from employees in a small functional-form organization, which we analyze with a methodology drawing from the social relations model of interpersonal perception and hierarchical Bayesian models for social network analysis. We find that the affective content of social relations stimulates the formation of task-related ties both directly, by increasing the hedonic rewards from the interaction, and indirectly, by altering the instrumental value of the relationship. Conversely, the instrumental value of the interaction does not modify its affective value either directly or indirectly. Similarly, formal-structural arrangements shape the instrumental content of the interaction but do not alter its affective content. The only robust predictor of affective content in our data is attribute similarity among social actors. We conclude that, while both instrumental and affective motivations trigger the formation of task networks, the affective content of task-related ties is primal: it causes task-related action and related instrumental rewards, but is independent of formal-structural and instrumental dimensions of social interaction.

Martin Everett to speak on core/periphery structures in 2-mode networks

LINKS Center Colloquium

Friday, June 19th at 11am in B&E 446

Martin Everett has a master degree in mathematics and completed a doctorate on social networks at Oxford University under Clyde Mitchell, one of the pioneers of the subject. He has been an active in social network research for over thirty years and has published over 100 articles mainly on social networks. In 1987 during a sabbatical at the University of California Irvine he teamed up with Steve Borgatti. They have collaborated ever since researching and publishing on methods for social networks, teaching workshops and producing the software program UCINET. Martin has been the president of INSNA the international professional body for social network analysis and still serves on the board; in 2001 he was awarded the Simmel award from the society, the highest award available.

David Obstfeld: "Creative projects: A less-routine approach toward getting new things done"

Feb 20, 2009 10am-11:30am B&E 253

"Creative projects: A less-routine approach toward getting new things done" David Obstfeld Univ of California, Irvine abstract

LINKS Center article published in Science

Steve Borgatti, Ajay Mehra, Dan Brass and Joe Labianca have recently (Feb 13, 2009) published a paper in Science. Here are some links relevant to the article:

• UK press release
• Pre-publication version of the article
• Science article (requires access to Science)

Here's the title and abstract:

Network Analysis in the Social Sciences

Over the past decade, there has been an explosion of interest in network research across the physical and social sciences. For social scientists, the theory of networks has been a gold mine, yielding explanations for social phenomena in a wide variety of disciplines from psychology to economics. Here, we review the kinds of things that social scientists have tried to explain using social network analysis and provide a nutshell description of the basic assumptions, goals, and explanatory mechanisms prevalent in the field. We hope to contribute to a dialogueamong researchers from across the physical and social sciences who share a common interest in understanding the antecedents and consequences of network phenomena.

LINKS Center for Network Research in Business, Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506–0034, USA. E-mail: sborgatti@uky.edu (S.P.B.), ajay.mehra@uky.edu (A.M.),dbrass@uky.edu (D.J.B.), and joe.labianca@uky.edu (G.L.)

Maurits de Klepper: Siena Workshop

Jan 22, 2009 3pm-5pm B&E 248 Jan 23, 2009 10am-12pm B&E 248

Siena Workshop. Maurits de Klepper Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

2009 Summer Workshop on Social Network Analysis

Each year, the LINKS Center puts on a week-long workshop on social network analysis. The workshop consists of a series of modules which differ from year to year. The 2009 workshop will run June 1-5 and consist of the following modules:

• Elementary Graph Theory and Matrix Algebra (Jun 1; Borgatti, DeJordy, & Halgin)
• Introduction to Social Network Analysis (Jun 2-4; DeJordy & Halgin)
• Statistical Modeling (Jun 2-4; Steglich)
• Advanced Social Network Analysis(Jun 5; Borgatti) 
• Network Research Design (Jun 5; Brass, Labianca & Mehra)
  

Online registration will commence March 1st. See the workshop website for more details.