Economic Policy > GLA Economics > Events > What are networks and what is the relevance of network analysis for policy-makers?

What are networks and what is the relevance of network analysis for policy-makers?

14 March 2008

Seminar summary

Network analysis is a powerful tool for understanding the interactions between people, organisations or products. This workshop will explore the role of network analysis through examples of their use by experts. At the end of the workshop you will have a clearer understanding of the advantages and problems that this approach has, how it can be used to help inform policy and where to go for further assistance.

Speakers

Paul Ormerod from Volterra Consulting will open the workshop outlining what networks are and how they can be applied to social policy such as obesity, alcohol and worklessness.

Paul Ormerod PDF
Paul Ormerod RTF

Mike Batty, director of the Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis at University College London will lead us through his use of network analysis as applied to urban geography.

Mike Batty PDF
Mike Batty RTF

Kate Morrison also from Volterra Consulting, together with Rupert Greenhalgh from Manchester Enterprises, will then outline the use of network analysis for analysing innovation related connections in innovation systems.

Kate Morrison and Rupert Greenhalgh PDF
Kate Morrison and Rupert Greenhalgh RTF

Alex Bentley a lecturer in anthropology from the University of Durham will outline how he uses network analysis to characterise consumer behaviour. He examines how changes in behaviour are influenced through word of mouth and networks of people.

Alex Bentley PDF
Alex Bentley RTF

Betsy Stanko, head of the Strategic Research Unit at the Metropolitan Police Service will discuss how she is using networks for analysing offenders and to better understand how people make us of the police.