The Spring Conference of the Section on Social Network Analysis of the German Sociological Association (DGS/GSA) organises an int. conference dealing with the topic „How networks matter. Theoretical, methodological and empirical advances on network mechanisms and effects“ from 6th-7th February 2020 at the University of Bremen.
There are still a lot of open questions with regard to the processes and mechanisms of how social networks matter and the conditions and contexts of networks effects. For instance, theoretical challenges are the modeling of the source and nature of social influence and network effects, and distinguishing between effects of media, the social environment and specific influencing individuals (Kadushin 2012). Still, a basic question is how interactional networks contribute to constructing reference groups as important aspects of social comparisons and social influence (Marsden/Friedkin 1993). Methodological challenges concern establishing causality and disentangling of influence and selection processes, among others.
At the conference we will discuss theoretical, methodological and empirical challenges and advances in the study of network processes, mechanisms and effects. Especially, we would like to create the opportunity for exchange and dialogue between different, and often disconnected, theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches to research on social networks.
We invite papers contributing to the following topics:
* Theoretical concepts and models of the ways social networks affect individual and collective action;
* Methodological considerations and methodical advances on how to investigate social influence, network mechanisms and network effects, such as the smart combining of methods (multi-methods, mixed methods);
* Ways of treating the promises and problems arising from causality and the concurrency of influence and selection processes;
* Empirical studies on network effects and mechanisms in various areas of network research, such as personal networks, organizational networks, or social movements.
When and Where: 6th & 7th February 2020 at the University of Bremen
Important dates: Sound abstract (max. 2 page) submission deadline: 15th November 2019
Notification of acceptance: 1st December 2019
Please submit your abstract to raphael.heiberger@uni-stuttgart.de and betina.hollstein@uni-bremen.de
