Our research focuses on modeling complex social dynamics both in physical spaces and online environments, by exploring key phenomena such as behavioral contagion, norm emergence, group formation and collective decision-making. Additionally, our work investigates the dynamics of online communities, studying how individuals interact and influence each other in digital spaces. This has implications on topics such as polarization, online engagement and the impact of social media on political discourse. By understanding these complex interactions, we aim to develop insights that can inform strategies for fostering positive social outcomes and address challenges within digital and physical communities.
Our focus
Opinion Formation & Decision Making
We focus on how opinions form and consensus emerges within groups, particularly in political and technology-mediated environments. Using network-based models, we aim to predict patterns of collective decision-making and understand the role of social influence in online communities. Broader themes include the spread and correction of misinformation, political communication, and the evolving dynamics of trust in digital societies. By integrating insights from network science, political behavior, and computational social science, our work sheds light on the mechanisms that shape public opinion and group coordination.
Science of Teams
The Science of Teams research area explores how team structure, collaboration, and technology shape collective performance in complex environments, informing the design of high-impact, resilient teams. Drawing on network science, behavioral theory, and AI, this work investigates what makes teams effective, from optimizing expertise flow and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to enhancing collective intelligence and supporting performance in complex, or extreme settings.
Sports Analytics
Unlike traditional sports analytics approaches, NetSI Sport, our sports analytics initiative, applies technical tools and theoretical insights from complex systems science to sports data analysis to better understand the dynamics of professional games. By identifying the cadence of events throughout a game and mapping the interconnected patterns that lead to team success, the research team is working toward developing tools that could also be applied to other sports with similar event-based team dynamics. Particular attention is dedicated to women’s teams that remain understudied in the traditional sports analytics field.


