Social Networks and Big Data

Research in this area focuses on the intersection of transportation and communication networks. Stevens faculty working on social networks and Big Data are modeling the use of couriers in communication, and are exploring social networking in standard making and business simulations.

Another interesting focal point is how to use social networks to convey reliable information during a crisis. In many recent large-scale natural disasters, social media infrastructure has proven more resilient than traditional news outlets, but at the same time, rumors propagate — and inaccurate ones impede rescue and recovery efforts. Researchers here are interested in designing social media processes that will be useful during emergencies.

Selected publications

Lee, A.S. and Nickerson, J.V. "Theory as a Case of Design: Lessons for Design from the Philosophy of Science." Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science, 2010.

Nickerson, J.V., Oinas-Kukkonen, H. and Don. "Social Networks and Collaboration: Emerging Trends." Proceedings of the 43rd Annual Hawaii International Conference on Systems Science, 2010.

Sakamoto, Y., Sadlon, E. and Nickerson, J.V. "The Use of Reciprocity to Build Reputation in Electronically Mediated Social Networks." Workshop on Information in Networks, New York University, 2009.

Sadlon, E., Sakamoto, Y., Ma, J., Barrett, S. and Nickerson, J.V. "The Ecology of Digg: Niches and Reciprocity in a Social Network Landscape." ACM CHI Workshop on Social Mediating Technologies: Developing the Research Agenda, 2009.

Steiny, D., Nickerson, J.V. and Oinas-Kukkonen, H. "Introduction to the Social Network Minitrack." 42nd Hawaii International Conference on Systems Sciences, 2009.

Ben-Zvi T. "Network Structure and Centrality: A Simulation Experiment." Proceeding of the 30th International Conference on Information Systems (ICIS), Phoenix, AZ, December 2009.

Ben-Zvi T. "The Changing Shape of Networks: Lessons for the Auto Industry." Proceeding of the Portland International Center for Management of Engineering Technology (PICMET) Conference, Portland, OR, August 2009.