Heriot-Watt University will host the 44th Annual Sunbelt Conference from 23-30 June at its campus in Edinburgh. The conference, widely known as the most significant annual event in network analysis, has never been held in Scotland before.
It has been organised by Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Networks and Enterprise Excellence (CNEE), together with the International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA).
Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a methodological approach for studying social structures through the use of networks and graph theory. It involves mapping and measuring relationships and flows between people, groups, organisations, and other connected entities. This analysis is used to understand the patterns and implications of these relationships.
The theme of Sunbelt 2024 is ‘Networks and Resilience’, and it will examine how resilience determines the ability of socio-economic, socio-ecological, infrastructural, and organisational systems to function while under strain.
Professor Dame Heather McGregor, member of the Heriot-Watt University Executive as well as a member of the organising committee for Sunbelt 2024 said: “The conference will bring several advantages to Scotland.
“Not only will it offer the Scottish academic community, including Heriot-Watt’s own staff and students, the chance to meet these world class scholars in person, but the arrival of an extra 1,000+ visitors from across the world will be an opportunity to showcase our wonderful country and boost the local economy.”
The Sunbelt Conference is an interdisciplinary event, with academic papers and presentations on social science, mathematics, humanities and physics.
This year, the Conference will see over 700 papers being presented in 59 thematic areas, representing work across more than 500 Universities. It will host a total of 39 workshops, four keynotes, a poster session, a number of satellite events and panels.
There will be several contemporary debates on sustainability, complexity, social influence, innovation, organisational efficiency, and phase transitions associated with Network Resilience.
Heriot-Watt University is home to CNEE which has active projects on innovation, knowledge exchange, decarbonisation, and finance that transform practice and shape the future.
INSNA is the professional association for researchers interested in social network analysis. The association is a non-profit organisation incorporated in the state of Delaware and founded by Barry Wellman in 1977.
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