Using SNA to address real-life issues, create impact and engage non- academic stakeholders Daniela D’Andreta Warwick Business School / Mitchell Centre for SNA, University of Manchester
I have a sociology degree, now what? Sociological theory offers us ways of understanding structures and patterns of the social world. Sociological research methods help us to tackle complex problems. Addresses important, real-world issues like power, hierarchy, social reproduction and inequality.
What is SNA? A methodology and a toolkit. Relational ontology: interdependency of nodes and ties Investigate social structure – networked relationships.
What is SNA? KevinSallyJoeEmmaLucy Kevin46012 Sally50143 Joe80108 Emma Lucy15860 AgeSalary (£) Victor5416,700 Sally4724,000 Joe2518,500 Emma1819,000 Lucy2329,300
Properties of social networks Clustering, cohesion and cliques Reciprocity Brokerage Centrality Homophily
Some real-life applications and policy impact
Health policy innovation networks Problem: knowledge sharing gap between researchers (know) and clinical practitioners (do), hinders the diffusion of medical innovations. Policy impact: SNA used to evaluate the effectiveness of NHS regional knowledge networks set up to bridge this gap.
‘Knowledge brokers’ in the NHS Diffuse Engage Implemen t CLAHRC knowledge sharing network
Support networks & infant mortality Problem: Social exclusion/disadvantage linked to inequalities in infant mortality. Findings: Compared to non-bereaved women, bereaved women had fewer non-kin in their support networks and accessed different resources (stratification).
Policy impact: targeted service use. Improve access to information and support for women at higher risk. Bereaved Non-bereaved
Dutch sex swingers and epidemiology Problem: high rate of STIs amongst swingers, swingers recruit partners through networks. Impact: risk reduction strategies targeted at key players (high degree) in the sexual relations network. Niekamp, A. et al (2013).
Interested? Scott, J. & Carrington, P. (Eds.). (2011). The SAGE handbook of social network analysis. SAGE publications. UCINET software (free download):