AccelNet Mapping Scientific Collaborations

How well do you know your network?

Learning and applying network graph analysis will help the AccelNet partners to:

improve their understanding of scientific collaborations currently happening within their networks
leverage the strength of expertise and connectedness within their networks to help accomplish their goals
create strategies to address gaps of expertise and connectedness to strengthen within their networks
identify and evaluate other networks to collaborate and connect with to optimize their network-of-networks
assess and report the growth and development of their networks over time

Workshop series

Workshop 1: Data Sources for Modeling and Graphing Scientific Collaborations

Learning objectives: Participants will learn about commonly available data for assessing scientific collaboration networks and how they can curate and collect that data for their own team. Using the examples of GLASSNET and MultiNet, we will show how scientific publication data, survey data, and other observational data can be used to both evaluate change efforts and to guide decision making for future activity. February 17, 2023, Noon to 4pm EST.

Workshop 2: Tools for Analyzing and Visualizing Scientific Collaboration Networks

Learning objectives: Participants will learn about three major approaches to using their network collaboration data to assess their collaborations: (1) visualizing network data, (2) finding important actors (centrality), and (3) assessing cohesiveness and finding potential opportunities (such as structural holes) to increase cohesiveness. March 17, 2023, Noon to 4pm EST.

Workshop 3: Evaluating the Growth of Your Scientific Network and Strategic Decision-Making

Learning objectives: Participants will learn (1) what kinds of questions related to their AccelNets can be answered through network graph analysis; (2) how to establish a baseline scientific collaboration network graph using GLASSNET & MultiNet as examples; (3) practical considerations for quantifying network analyses into measurable units; and (4) how to utilize the assessment template for annual reporting to NSF and for informing strategic decision-making to guide the growth and development of their AccelNets. May 12, 2023, Noon to 4pm EST.

Participate in the workshop series

These three half-day, hands-on workshops will take place online between February and May 2023. They are meant to be taken together as a series by a cohort of ten participants who will be selected from those who apply from awarded AccelNets. No programming experience is needed but each participant will need the support of their AccelNet's leadership in order to gather and analyze data about their network and to apply what has been learned from the workshops to the assessment and future strategies for their network. Time will be required outside of the workshops in order to build and analyze your network graphs with weekly, virtual office hours offered for consultation.

Applications are no longer being accepted.

Materials from the workshops will be made publicly available in August 2023 for those who are not able to participate.