Master Class – Social Network Analysis in Offline and Online Settings

Social Network Analysis in Off and Online Settings

Alan J. Daly, Martin Rehm, Mimi Lockton, and Anita Caduff

This masterclass examines the ways of harnessing the power of social network theory and social network analysis to understand how resources and influence pass between individuals. Although sometimes seemingly invisible, off and online social networks can be mapped, examined, and leveraged for action. Social network analysis can be applied to targeted, localized communities or organizations (like schools/districts) or to big data (such as Twitter data) to better inform education policy, practice, and the formation of communities.  This Masterclass will be a combination of theory, methods, and application of social network analysis in different contexts. 

Alan J. Daly, Ph. D is a Professor and the Director of Educational Leadership Doctoral Programs in the Department of Education Studies at the University of California, San Diego.  Alan’s research and teaching are influenced by his 16 years of public school experience in a variety of instructional and leadership roles.  His research primarily focuses on the role of social networks, leadership, educational policy, and knowledge mobilization and the relationship between those elements on the educational attainment of traditionally marginalized student populations.   In support of that effort, Professor Daly has published over 200 peer reviewed journal articles with the vast majority drawing on social network theory and analysis, five books (Social Network Theory and Educational Change, Using Research Evidence in Schools, Thinking and Acting Systemically: Improving School Districts Under Pressure, and Leading Holistically, and Researching and Enacting Change in Postsecondary education.), and over 250 peer reviewed papers at international conferences. In addition, Professor Daly’s work has been widely supported by national, international, and philanthropic sources focused on transforming educational spaces.  He was most recently the Chair of the Department of Education Studies and a Fulbright Global Scholar in New Zealand and South Africa.