ETH Workshop
Signed Relations and Structural Balance in Complex Systems: From Data to Models
ETH Zurich
May 15–17, 2024 Wednesday–Friday
Venue
Wednesday 15 May 2024, Friday 17 May 2024
ETH Zurich, Lecture Hall E101
LEE Building, Leonhardstr 21, 8092 ZürichLink to mapThursday 16 May 2024
ETH Zurich, Alumni Pavillon MM C78.1
Polyterrasse, 8001 ZürichLink to map
Synopsis
According to the theory of structural balance, interacting systems balance the (positive or negative) relations between different system elements such that local conflicts are minimized. Hence, structural imbalances induce a dynamics to resolve such conflicts. This dynamics plays a vital role in evolutionary processes because a multitude of possible solutions exists. At the same time, if these solutions cannot be reached, this can hamper the functionality of systems.
This general problem also occurs in social systems, where instead of a more balanced state, for instance, the polarization of opinions emerges. Are we able to address this problem from a formal perspective? Do we have data available to study it in real systems? Can we develop models that help us to understand when structural balance fails, and how it can be mitigated?
Our workshop shall provide a platform to discuss these questions from a multi-disciplinary perspective, involving researchers from the complexity and the social sciences.
Contributions revolve around three interlinked topics:
- Signed Relations and Structural Balance in Complex Systems
- Evolution of Signed Relation and Emergence of Structural Balance
- Mitigating the Implications of Structural Imbalance
Download workshop program with abstracts (PDF, 10 pages)
Organisation
- Prof. Janusz Holyst, Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology
- Prof. Frank Schweitzer, Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zürich
The workshop celebrates the completion of the binational collaborative research project on signed relations and structural balance jointly funded by the Polish National Science Foundation and the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF Grant No: 105213L_192746).
We gratefully acknowledge additional financial support for the workshop from the Group of Physics in Economy and Social Sciences (Prof. Holyst, Warsaw University of Technology) and from the Chair of Systems Design (Prof. Schweitzer, ETH Zurich).
Program
Wednesday, May 15
Frank Schweitzer
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 09:30–09:45
---
Introduction of Participants
---
May 15, 2024 | 09:45–10:15
☕️ Coffee Break 🥐
10:15–10:45Session
1
Pawel Sobkowicz (Chair/Discussant)
National Centre for Nuclear Research, Poland
May 15
10:45 – 12:30
Michael Macy
Keynote: The Shallowness of Deep Division
Department of Information Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 10:45–11:30
Giacomo Vaccario
Structural balance in complex network: Observation, Emergence and Implications
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 11:45–12:15
Lunch Break
12:30–14:00Session
2
Janusz Holyst (Chair/Discussant)
Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
May 15
14:00 – 15:45
Stefan Thurner
Keynote: How diadic homophilic relations cause structural balance
Complexity Science Hub Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Austria
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 14:00–14:45
Georges Andres
Reconstructing signed relations from interaction data
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 15:00–15:30
☕️ Coffee Break 🥐
15:45–16:15Session
3
Piotr Gorski (Chair/Discussant)
Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
May 15
16:15 – 17:45
Anna Gallo
Assessing frustration in real-world signed networks: towards a statistical theory of balance
IMT School for Advanced Studies, Lucca, Italy
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 16:15–16:45
Emma Fraxanet
Unpacking Polarization: Antagonism and Alignment in Signed Networks of Online Interaction
Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain
See Abstract
May 15, 2024 | 17:00–17:30
Conference Dinner -- Restaurant Linde, Universitätstrasse 91
18:30–21:00Thursday, May 16
Session
4
Sophia Schlosser (Chair/Discussant)
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
May 16
09:30 – 10:30
Boleslaw Szymanski
Keynote: Political Polarization At the Age of Social Media
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 09:30–10:15
☕️ Coffee Break 🥐
10:30–11:00Session
5
Laurence Brandenberger (Chair/Discussant)
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
May 16
11:00 – 12:30
Pawel Sobkowicz
On the Individual Roots of Polarization: Combining Experiments and Modeling
National Centre for Nuclear Research, Poland
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 11:00–11:30
Angela Fontan
Collective decision-making on networked systems: From social networks to political decision-making
KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 11:45–12:15
Lunch Break
12:30–14:00Session
6
Alexandre Bovet (Chair/Discussant)
Department of Mathematical Modeling and Machine Learning, University of Zurich, Switzerland
May 16
14:00 – 15:30
Berno Buechel
Stable Signed Networks
Department of Economics, University of Fribourg, Switzerland
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 14:00–14:30
Piotr Gorski
Under-representation of nonhierarchical triads in structural balance model
Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 14:45–15:15
☕️ Coffee Break 🥐
15:30–16:00Session
7
Georges Andres (Chair/Discussant)
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
May 16
16:00 – 17:30
Matus Medo
The fragility of opinion formation in a complex world
Department of Clinical Research, University of Bern, Switzerland
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 16:00–16:30
Krishnadas Mohandas
Critical properties of Heider balance on multiplex networks
Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
See Abstract
May 16, 2024 | 16:45–17:15
Friday, May 17
Session
8
Frank Schweitzer (Chair/Discussant)
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zürich, Switzerland
May 17
09:30 – 10:30
Samin Aref
Keynote: Structural analysis of signed networks by optimally clustering them using integer programming models
Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Canada
See Abstract
May 17, 2024 | 09:30–10:15
☕️ Coffee Break 🥐
10:30–11:00Session
9
Giacomo Vaccario (Chair/Discussant)
Chair of Systems Design, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
May 17
11:00 – 12:45
Giulia De Pasquale
Binary Models for Opinion Dynamics and Interpersonal Relationships via Influence and Homophily Mechanisms
Automatic Control Laboratory, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
See Abstract
May 17, 2024 | 11:00–11:30
Andreia Sofia Teixeira
Analyzing Signed Networks: Insights from Multiscale Structural Balance Theory and Dynamics in High School Social Relations
Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
See Abstract
May 17, 2024 | 11:45–12:15
Janusz Holyst
Closing and Farewell
Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
May 17, 2024 | 12:30–12:45
