Conference Theme: Dynamics of Social Networks

The 7th Conference on Applications of Social Network Analysis (ASNA) has the goal to assess the state of the field and discuss current developments and innovations in social network research. As for the previous years, ASNA 2010 will primarily provide an interdisciplinary venue with focus on applications of social network analysis. However, submissions on theoretical and methodological issues are also welcome. There are no limitations with respect of scientific disciplines and research questions. However, contributors are especially encouraged to address the conference topic of “dynamics of social networks”.

Social network analysis (SNA) suggests broadening the focus from individual actors to a set of actors and the relations among them. Hence, the characteristic paradigm of SNA is to include “the context” to understand phenomena’s in various scientific disciplines like sociology, political science, communication science, social psychology, anthropology, economics, biology, physics, and others. In recent years increasing awareness arises that “the context” also includes a temporal dimension. Hence, it is of interest whether and how the structure of a network is dependent on previous structures or which future dynamics can be assumed to happen based on a given network. Also most cross sectional research include implicit assumptions about dynamic processes of networks. Hence, contributors are encouraged to reflect on this issue even though they might not use longitudinal data.

Since the mid 1990ies both 2010 ASNA keynote speakers have contributed significantly to describe and understand dynamics of social networks. We invite people to reflect their work and discuss it throughout the venue.