Research Handbooks on Social Networks series – serie

This prescient Handbook analyzes how Social Network Analysis (SNA) is revolutionizing educational research by transforming how we interpret the complex web of interactions between students, teachers, parents, and education systems.Showcasing contributions from leading experts, this Handbook reveals the profound impact of SNA on educational processes at every level, from the individual classroom to entire school districts and even global education policies. Chapters explore cutting-edge SNA methods tailored to educational contexts, including the impact of social media, the role of peer relationships in learning, and the communication structures that drive innovation and policy. Ultimately, the Handbook emphasizes the importance of understanding the intricacies of social relationships in educational settings.Providing a holistic overview of SNA and its applications, this Handbook is an invaluable resource for academics and students in education, sociology, psychology, and political science. It will also greatly benefit educators, policymakers, researchers, and all those looking to harness network analysis tools to drive innovation in education settings.

This Handbook examines how social networks underpin environmental change, exploring issues of collaboration, learning and social influence in environmental contexts. It provides an accessible framework for understanding the complex interplay between social dynamics and environmental problems, highlighting how social networks can shape and potentially solve pressing global challenges.Bringing together diverse case studies, leading specialists outline the role of social networks in environmental management, policy, risk, disasters and climate adaptation. They shed light on seed circulation and regional trade networks, and analyze the impact of conservation technology in environmental policy. Chapters address flood planning and the prevalence of post-disaster mental health issues, showcasing best practice in the journey from environmental catastrophe to recovery. They discuss equitable climate-smart architecture, network segregation, power, and the global trade networks driving climate change, as well as local stakeholder networks supporting climate action.The Handbook of Social Networks and the Environment will greatly benefit students and academics in social network analysis, sociology and social theory, environmental sociology, public policy and sustainability studies. Its exploration of the complex social and environmental nexus is also invaluable to public policy officials and practitioners in project and environmental management.

This comprehensive Handbook explores the application of social network analysis and network science in the field of communication studies. Leading experts examine the interactions between social and communication networks, with a particular emphasis on network media effects.Contributing authors highlight the growing gap between research on traditional media effects, which frequently relies on limited survey data, and the realities of digital information dissemination through platforms and algorithms. Drawing on both conceptual and methodological frameworks, the book provides crucial insights into how non-human actors and platform affordances impact communication and information flow. Chapters define essential theoretical concepts while outlining practical approaches, guidelines and future research directions. They discuss news consumption, hybrid media systems, social capital, computational methods, algorithmic curation systems and the visualization of network topologies.The Handbook of Social and Communication Networks consolidates the disciplinary boundaries of social and communication network research, making it a valuable resource for scholars and students of communication, media, sociology, computer science and information studies.

This insightful Handbook explores the impact of social networks on migration, encompassing relationships between families, friends, communities and institutions. It shows how these networks shape migration decisions, facilitate border crossings and support life in new places.Leading researchers from across the globe adopt interdisciplinary methodological perspectives to assess a wide range of migration types including labor, student and refugee mobility. The Handbook examines how existing connections can positively influence migration, focusing on key factors such as access to housing, employment and childcare, as well as the ability to maintain connections with countries of origin. It also reveals how social dimensions can limit migration or expose individuals to risks, depending on their gender, age and legal status. Drawing on diverse case studies, this Handbook provides a rich, real-world understanding of migration not as an isolated journey, but as a deeply social and relational process.This Handbook is a beneficial resource for scholars and students of migration studies, cultural sociology, geography, development studies, political science and international relations. Containing actionable policy insights and a forward-looking research agenda, it is also an essential read for both practitioners and policymakers working in migration-related fields.