LINKS Center Offers Summer Social Network Analysis Workshop

Beginning on June 22 and running through July 10, the LINKS Center at the University of Kentucky is offering a synchronous, online version of its annual summer workshop. The workshop consists of three tracks, two held in parallel, and a third held after the first two are completed.

In general, each track will meet every other day for four hours. On the off days, there will be homework and access to teaching assistants or instructors. A limited number of one-on-one consultations with LINKS research faculty (Joe Labianca, Ajay Mehra, and Scott Soltis from the Gatton College's department of Management) will also be available during June 22-27 at times that do not conflict with instructional sessions. The tracks are as follows:

Track 1: Introduction to Social Network Analysis - June 22, 24 and 26
Led by Dan Brass, Rich DeJordy and Dan Halgin, this course provides a basic introduction to the theory and method of network research. Topics include theoretical perspectives, social capital, and the nuts and bolts of doing a network analysis using UCINET and Netdraw software. It meets Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. (12 contact hours) and provides homework assignments and access to teaching assistants on Tuesday and Thursday. The course costs $1,200 ($600 for students).

Track 2: Intermediate Social Network Analysis - June 22, 24, 26 and 29
Taught by Steve Borgatti, this technical, in-depth workshop focuses on the concepts and methods of social network analysis, particularly as they apply to specific research objectives. The mathematics behind the measures and how to use them in practice will be explained. UCINET software is used extensively. The course meets four times starting June 22: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Monday from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. (16 contact hours). The course costs $1,400 ($700 for students).

Track 3: Stochastic Models of Networks - June 30, July 1, 3, 6, 8 and 10
Taught by Filip Agneessens, this course covers ERGMs and SAOMs, two families of statistical models used to model the presence or absence of ties. While the course is introductory, prior familiarity with both statistics and network analysis is strongly advised. Starting after Track 1 and Track 2 finish, the course meets six days (22 hours in total). The course is interactive, including breakout sessions and using the off days to consolidate knowledge. Participants will receive homework; which includes running further analysis and interpreting results, which they can perform in small groups of two to three. These results will be discussed in the next meeting. The course costs $1,800 ($900 for students).

Registration is now open! Registrants may cancel for a full refund up to midnight on June 21. The website for the workshop is www.linksworkshop.org.