My name is Alejandro Espinosa-Rada, and I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Previously, I was a Postdoctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Social Networks Lab at ETH Zurich, and I completed my PhD in Sociology at the Mitchell Centre for Social Network Analysis at the University of Manchester.
My main areas of interest lie at the intersection of Group Dynamics, Sociology of Social Networks, Sociology of Science and Knowledge, and Network Modelling.
You can also check out Knitting Networks, the podcast of the Social Network Science, which I co-host with Francisca Ortiz. Episodes are available in Spanish and English, and the podcast is endorsed by the International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA).
In my spare time, I enjoy practicing Capoeira and playing keyboard (prog rock music).
Research Projects
Group Dynamics
The group dynamics project aims to understand the (co-)evolution of social networks and/or individual changes when groups are considered.
Social Network Lab, ETH Zurich (2021-2024).
SNA-SES
Co-PI at the Social Networks and Socio-ecological Sustainability Project (SNA-SES).
Project funded by FONDECYT program N°1220560 (2022-2025).
AstroNET
PI of a study to analyse the Chilean astronomical and astrophysics community.
Project funded by
CONICYT PFCHA/DOCTORADO BECAS CHILE/2017-72180242 (2017-2021).
PCHA/Magíster Nacional/2013-50280 (2013-2014).
Social Network Group - UC
Group about "Social Network Science - UC".
Group organised locally at the Department of Sociology, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Edited Volumes (In Spanish)
Co-editor of the Book:
Title (EN): "Technopolitics: Approaches to the Study of Science, Technology and Society in Chile"
Título (ES): “Tecnopolíticas. Aproximaciones a los estudios de ciencia, tecnología y sociedad en Chile”
Co-editor of the Handobook:
Title (EN): "Social Networks. Theory, Methods and Applications in Latin America"
Título (ES): “Redes Sociales. Teoría, Métodos y Aplicaciones en América Latina”
R Projects
NETMEM
An R package that implements different measures to analyse and manipulate complex multilayer networks from an ego-centric perspective, considering one-mode networks, valued ties (i.e. weighted or multiplex) or with multiple levels.
CLASSICNETS
The goal of classicnets is to make available, compile and conserve classic data of social networks. We follow the history of this perspective based on Linton Freeman, John Scott and reviews from Ibero-America. The data are in the classic matrix format.
Areas of Interest and Other Academic Projects
Sociology of Scientific Networks for the Science of Science
Statistical Models for Social Networks
My Academic History
My history at Alberto Hurtado University was used in a professional motivation campaign based on an alumni interview (in Spanish):
Academic tree:
