LINKS 2024

REGISTRATION OPENING SOON

Introduction

The LINKS Center for Social Network Analysis at the University of Kentucky offers a series of workshops on social network analysis (SNA) every summer.  This year we are offering four synchronous online workshops, conducted over Zoom.  Each workshop meets for 3 to 5 days for about four hours a day (not including optional extra sessions in some of the workshops). There is also access to a limited number of non-technical one-on-one consultations with experienced research faculty to discuss your individual project(s). The workshops and dates are shown below.

Track 1. Introduction to Social Network Analysis - May 20 - May 22, 2024 (9:30-11:30am and 12:30-2:30pm, ET)

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 (both Windows programs). Starting May 20th, it meets Monday, Tuesday,  and Wednesday from 9:30am-11:30am ET (New York time) and 12:30pm-2:30pm ET (12 contact hours) and provides homework assignments and access to a TA.  The course costs $1500 ($750 for students). More details ...

Track 2. Intermediate Social Network Analysis (UCINET) - May 20 - May 23, 2024  

Taught by Steve Borgatti,  this is a more technical and in-depth workshop focusing on the concepts and methods of SNA, with particular emphasis on relating network measures to research goals. The mathematics behind the measures is explained, as well as how to use the measures in a research context. UCINET for Windows software is used extensively. Starting May 20, the course meets Monday through Thursday, from 10am-12:00pm ET and 12:30pm-2:30pm ET each day.  The course is closely tied to the book Analyzing Social Networks, 3rd edition, by Borgatti, Everett, Johnson and Agneessens (2024). The cost is $1800 ($900 for students).  More details ... 

Track 3. Intermediate Social Network Analysis (R) - May 20 - May 24, 2024 (9:30-11:45am; 12:30-2:15pm; and 2:30-3:00pm ET on May 20-23 / 9:30-11:45am ET on Friday May 24)

Taught by Filip Agneessens. This is a more technical and in-depth workshop than the intro workshop, focusing on the concepts and methods of SNA, particularly as they apply to specific research objectives. This workshop uses specialized R packages, such as igraph, sna and xUCINET, rather than Windows UCINET.  Basic familiarity with R is helpful but not required. The mathematics behind the measures is explained, as well as how to use the measures in practice. The course is designed to be accompanied by the book Analyzing Social Networks Using R by Borgatti, Everett, Johnson and Agneessens (2022). The course meets from Monday May 20 to Friday May 24. The first four days (20-23 May) consisting of two sessions: 9:30-11:45am ET and 12:30-2:15pm ET, followed by an exercise session from 2:30-3:00pm. On Friday morning May 24, we meet from 9:30 to 11:45am ET. Participants will receive homework, which includes running analyses and interpreting results. The course costs $1800 ($900 for students). More details ... 

Track 4. Stochastic Models of Networks - May 27 - May 31, 2024 (10:00am-12:00; 12:45-2:45  ET)

Taught by Robert Krause, 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. The course is supported by a series of video lectures. There will be time to discuss your specific research questions, data concerns, and interpretation of your model. The course costs $1800 ($900 for students). More details ...

Registration

Registration is not yet open. When ready, there will be a link here. Registration will remain open until 48 hours prior to the start of each track or when the track reaches capacity. Registrants may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start of their track(s).  Students receive a 50% discount.  Additional discounts are available for members of the University of Kentucky community.  

Software

It is useful to install the software before the workshop, so that you can get any difficulties ironed out. Please visit our software page

Contact

The website for this workshop is https://www.linksworkshop.org/.  If you have any questions, please contact Scott Soltis <scott.m.soltis@uky.edu>.  In addition, visit your specific track to get contact information about your instructors and TAs.