Social Network Analysis of the Global Shapers Community

An inside look into the structure of the World Economic Forum’s Global Shapers Community during the 2015 Annual Meeting

THE GIST: As part of the World Economic Forum, the Global Shapers Community is a worldwide network of hubs that are developed and led by young people to work on projects that have the potential to make lasting positive contributions to society. Using the research tools from social network analysis I draw a few surprising inferences about the structure of this community.

I love studying networks. Looking into the deep structures of a complex social system can reveal important features and patterns of relations that can open our minds and broaden our horizons.

Networks provide extraordinary insights and new ways of thinking about the ordinary things that surround us. I am especially interested in social networks — the abstract patterns of relationships that we are continuously shaping in both our offline and online lives, as we interact with our families, coworkers, friends and strangers.

The interesting thing about visualising a network is that it allows you to take a bird’s eye perspective to discover the surprising connections around you. Social network analysis can be used not…