The International Network for Social Network Analysis is the professional association of social network analysis.^[1] The rapid increase in awareness of social networks, social network software, and social networking has led to lively discussions and influence beyond sheer numbers.

Membership, history and output

INSNA's membership consists of more than 1,000 social network analysis researchers, who have a website (see External links) and an active listserve discussion group.

INSNA has always been international and interdisciplinary. Most members are social scientists, but there is significant involvement by mathematicians, statisticians, the business world (especially management consultants), and social networking software creators and analysts.

It was founded in 1977 by Barry Wellman, a sociologist to connect scattered network analysts, dispersed across countries and fields.^[2] It was headed by communications scientist William Richards from 2005 until his sudden death in August 2007.^[3] He was succeeded by Vice-president George Barnett, a Communication Science professor at the University of California, Davis, and then John Skvoretz (University of South Florida).

As well as publishing a triannual journal Connections on the subject, INSNA also:

• Runs SOCNET, a listserv mailing-list for the subject.
• Hosts the International Sunbelt Social Network Conference annually.^[4] See list below.
• Facilitates regional and specialized conferences.
• Publishes a quarterly journal, Social Networks.^[5]
• Publishes the online Journal of Social Structure, irregular periodicity.^[6]
• Provides links to researchers around the world.
• Provides raw data.

List of Annual "Sunbelt" Meetings / Keynote Speakers

Starting in the 1990s, the Keynote Speakers were also recognized with the Georg Simmel Distinguished Career Award.

• 1981 Tampa, none
• 1982 Tampa, John Barnes
• 1983 San Diego, James S. Coleman
• 1984 Phoenix, Harrison White
• 1985 Palm Beach, Linton Freeman
• 1986 Santa Barbara, J. Clyde Mitchell
• 1987 Clearwater, Everett Rogers
• 1988 San Diego, Charles Kadushin
• 1989 Tampa, Frank Harary
• 1990 San Diego, Mark Granovetter
• 1991 Tampa, James Davis
• 1992 San Diego, Peter Blau
• 1993 Tampa, A. Kimball Romney
• 1994 New Orleans, Barry Wellman
• 1995 London, Patrick Doreian
• 1996 Charleston, Bonnie Erickson
• 1997 San Diego, H. Russell Bernard & Peter Killworth
• 1998 Sitges, Spain, Rolf Ziegler
• 1999 Charleston, Nan Lin
• 2000 Vancouver, Linton Freeman
• 2001 Budapest, Martin Everett
• 2002 New Orleans, Philippa Pattison
• 2003 Cancun, MX, Alvin Wolfe
• 2004 Portorož, Slovenia, Frans Stokman
• 2005 Redondo Beach, CA, Ronald Breiger
• 2006 Vancouver, Edward Laumann
• 2007 Corfu, Vladimir Batagelj & Anuška Ferligoj
• 2008 St Petersburg, FL, Stephen Borgatti
• 2009 San Diego, CA, Phillip Bonacich
• 2010 Riva del Garda, Italy, Tom A.B. Snijders

See also

• Social network
• Social network analysis software
• Dynamic Network Analysis

References

Print

• Freeman, Linton C. (2004) The Development of Social Network Analysis: A Study in the Sociology of Science. Vancouver: Empirical Press. ISBN 1-59457-714-5.

• Barry Wellman, “Networking Network Analysts: How INSNA (the International Network for Social Network Analysis) Came to Be.” Connections 23, 1 (Summer, 2000): 20-31.

Internet

External links

• INSNA website.