Social Networks in a Sustainable Society Dr. Francesca Giardini Master Track Coordinator

Outline What is this track about? What distinguishes this track? The track’s labor market profile Why choosing this track?

What is this track about?

What Do Sociologists Study? Sociologists study all things human, from the interactions between two people to the complex relationships between nations or multinational corporations.  While sociology assumes that human actions are patterned, individuals still have room for choices.   (http://www.asanet.org/sites/default/files/savvy/introtosociology/Documents/Field%20of%20sociology033108.htm)

Network Society = Sustainable Society? Social problems in society, but in particular in the increasingly interdependent modern network society, are usually not limited to a single policy domain. The drug addict example shows: the addiction does not only affect the individual in question, it also has implications for his or her partner and family, but also affects the community, and the work sphere. Interventions require network approach, but also require expertise on multiple domains and the interplay between them. Societal complexity increases Interdependence between people intensifies Boundaries between societal domains dissolve

Social Networks in a Sustainable Society Social problems in the increasingly interdependent modern society, are usually not limited to a single policy domain Interventions require a relational approach

Sustainable societies need network policies & interventions The outcomes are affected by a structure of relations among individuals Sustainable societies need network policies & interventions “Wicked problems” are difficult to clearly define, are often not stable, usually have no clear solution, are socially complex and involve changing behaviors climate change asylum policy ageing society

Health-care Addiction care What are the factors that affect addiction behavior? What are the elements that an healthcare organization and policy makers should take into account when designing interventions?

Health-care & Networks “How does the informal social network influence the severity of the addiction of people with substance use disorder?” The data showed that perceived social support led people with substance use disorder to contact VNN earlier (lower severity of addiction at the moment of intake) PhD student@BSS RUG

Migration Inclusion and integration How to promote them in order to benefit both migrants and host countries? What are the elements that policy makers should take into account? “Wicked problems” are difficult to clearly define, are often not stable, usually have no clear solution, are socially complex and involve changing behaviors Rittel and Webber’s (1973) introduced the definition of “wicked problems” in order to highlight the need for policy makers to carefully develop decision tools based on the problems they faced

Migration & Networks “What kind of inter-institutional networks between Dutch municipalities promote labour market integration of migrants?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smg7YzS4NFM “Wicked problems” are difficult to clearly define, are often not stable, usually have no clear solution, are socially complex and involve changing behaviors Rittel and Webber’s (1973) introduced the definition of “wicked problems” in order to highlight the need for policy makers to carefully develop decision tools based on the problems they faced

What distinguishes this track?

Unique selling points Diversity (international and multi-disciplinary class) Small-group teaching (interactions and feedback) Generalist approach (multiple domains) Wide array of internship opportunities

SOCIOLOGIST + MSc Sociology (general) multitude of functions in government, profit and non-profit organisations Policy analyst and developer Organization and community development Applied researcher + Network Track diagnose and solve wicked policy problems (cross-domain, cross-level, competing values) design, implement, and manage sustainable cooperative arrangements involving multiple stakeholders

The courses

The lecturers Francesca Giardini Menno Rol Basak Bilecen Andreas Flache Christian Steglich

Internship opportunities Internal: 5 different research clusters External: Firms, public organizations and partnerships

The track’s labor market profile

Will I ever find a job if I choose this track?

Why choosing this track?

Department of Sociology Research Department is a world leader in network theory and method Analytical Sociology Social Networks Teaching Number 1 student rated Sociology program Long standing focus on policies and interventions Sociology+ Network Policy & Interventions

Why choosing this track? Top rated program Integration of research and policy applications in multiple domains World-leading Sociology department Unique combination of theory, methods and hands-on traineeships in applied social network research

Is this true? Let’s ask the students!

f.giardini@rug.nl