We are a multi-disciplinary group for the study of networks
We are the focal point of network research at the University of Essex. We aim to increase the visibility of network research, within the academic community and beyond.
Networks have become an exciting term associated to research with major impact, media coverage and student interest in a variety of fields. Network analysis is naturally interdisciplinary. Typical networks that underlie social science phenomena include friendships among individuals, innovation spill over across firms, input-output production linkages and supply chains, international trade flows, and over-the-counter trades between banks. Studying the network effects that underlie such phenomena is often extremely complex requiring the mastery of advanced mathematical and statistical tools as well as computing tools in some cases. In fact, the common mathematical and statistical tools specific to network analysis create a natural link between social sciences and STEM sciences.
Our work capitalises on a strong base; we benefit from the established tradition of social science research already taking place at the University of Essex, as well as an excellent relationship with a growing Department of Mathematics. Furthermore, Professor Sanjeev Goyal, one the pioneers of social networks research, now at Cambridge, conducted some of his key research in the area while in the Department of Economics at Essex between 2003 and 2006.
Our members belong to a multitude of different disciplines, both within and outside of the University of Essex, view our complete list of members, visit their individual staff profiles and learn more about their research interests by visiting our members page.