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

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

3. What is this track about?

4. 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.   (

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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?

9. 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 RUG

10. 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

11. Migration & Networks
“What kind of inter-institutional networks between Dutch municipalities promote labour market integration of migrants?”
“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

12. What distinguishes this track?

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

14. 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

15. The courses

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

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

18. The track’s labor market profile

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

21. Why choosing this track?

22. 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

23. 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

24. Is this true? Let’s ask the students!