Social networks are based on patterns of interaction among individuals, organizations, groups, and even countries. Our own unique social networks can have profound effects on our physical and mental health and our personal safety. Scientists working with social network models have identified how infectious diseases like SARS and STDs are transmitted across communities of individuals. Similarly, researchers working with the military have employed social network analysis to identify and track terrorist networks as well as locate terrorist targets. The American Sociological Association invites you to join us to hear from distinguished scientists who are applying social network analysis on critical issues ranging from high-risk adolescent behaviors to military intelligence.

WHAT: A Congressional Briefing, titled “Six Degrees of Separation: Using Social Network Research to Inform Public Health and National Security”

WHEN: Friday, June 10, 2005, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

WHERE: Longworth House Office Building, Room 1539
(Refreshments will be served)

Speakers:

Brian Reed, Fellow, Center for Research on Military Organization at the Department of Sociology, University of Maryland College Park
Formalizing the Informal: Social Network Analysis and Resistance Networks

Katherine Stovel, PhD, Assistant Professor of Sociology, University of Washington
Romantic Networks of Adolescents: Results from the Add Health Study

Duncan Watts, PhD, Associate Professor of Sociology, Columbia University
Why Are Epidemics So Unpredictable?

Sally T. Hillsman, PhD, Executive Officer, American Sociological Association
Moderator

RSVP: By June 8, 2005, to COSSA via telephone (202.842.3525) or email (alsharpe@cossa.org).
The media is invited to attend this event. For further information and author bios contact Johanna Ebner at the American Sociological Association at (202) 383-9005 x332 or pubinfo@asanet.org.

About the American Sociological Association
The American Sociological Association (www.asanet.org), founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to serving sociologists in their work, advancing sociology as a science and profession, and promoting the contributions to and use of sociology by society.