Computational sociology

The research focus area of computational sociology investigates the institutional conditions under which societies achieve equality, integration and sustainability.

Regarding the behaviours of populations as complex interactions between individuals allows us to use arithmetic models and experimental populations in order to evaluate a society's performance.

Data from millions of digital social interactions and new arithmetic techniques map out the processes through which desirable and undesirable behaviour comes into being in populations.

Currently, we are focusing on the following areas:

  1. Self-reinforcing inequalities: which institutions result in 'the rich become richer' dynamics and lead to the implementation of inferior candidates, technologies and standards of behaviour?
  2. Sharing economy: when are sharing economies able to develop the trust that is required for cashless transactions between strangers?
  3. Technology of social networks: which new forms of collective action can online social media platforms and smartphone technology achieve?

Examples of our research

Team