Social network analysis is a powerful way to visualize collaboration between partners, demonstrate your collective impact, and create actionable insights to improve the way you work together in the future. While a good deal of attention goes into designing and sharing your survey, the real
In our Social Support Research Fellowship – a partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation – we worked with four youth fellows to help us understand how young people think about and leverage social connectedness in their lives. Social support is a critically important determinant
Social isolation and loneliness appear a lot in the news these days. Following the past two years of quarantines and social distancing, these twin concerns are now a major priority for governments, mental health providers, and others in a number of sectors. However, there are
Many studies suggest that older adults face a higher risk of social isolation and loneliness than the average American. This is due to several reasons, including a greater likelihood of losing a spouse or significant other, physical isolation in a care home, and a reduction
If you’ve ever looked at a map of a social network, it probably looked like a jumble of interconnected lines and nodes. Without the right skill and training, analyzing such a network map is an incredibly difficult task. You need to have an understanding of
Over the past four decades, a significant body of literature has demonstrated that there is a significant link between social connectedness – our relationships with others – and our health and well-being. While this feels and sounds intuitive, you may have wondered specifically how our
Managing a network of community partners is no easy task. Unlike typical hierarchical organizations, a network is horizontal with few formal mechanisms for accountability through control. Network leaders have to rely on more abstract ideas like trust and mission alignment to keep their partners accountable,
Network centrality is among the most well-known social network analysis metrics, measuring the degree to which a person or organization is central to a network. There are three different ways to measure network centrality, and some are easier to understand than others. Centrality is a
There are many different ways to structure a network… for example, in a decentralized structure, everyone in a network can be connected to everyone else, while in a centralized structure, everyone connects to a single, central entity. Each of these organizational network structures has its
People build networks for a reason, what we call their “network purpose.” Some networks or alliances are extremely focused in what they address, while others take a more fluid approach and change their purpose over time. However, it’s important to pick a purpose with intent
Don’t miss our updates on using network science and relationship mapping to strengthen collaboration and improve community health.
Our Network Leadership Guide shares tips to build, manage, and strengthen your network of community partners. It’s perfect for those taking a systematic approach to address the root causes of health inequity or the social determinants of health.
