5th ISA Forum of Sociology (6-11 July 2025)

Bridging micro- and macro-social levels of analysis is pivotal to both social network research and agent-based modelling (ABM), which has recently stimulated fruitful exchanges between the two fields. Recent developments in statistical modelling of longitudinal network data have brought up further discussions on the use of simulations in social network research. ABMs can explain network dynamics and macro-level outcomes through micro-level mechanisms. Unlike in the early days, the network component of an ABM can be calibrated with empirical data, which allows ABM modellers to move beyond the use of abstract networks. Moreover, ABM can be used as a complementary tool to increase generalizability of statistical analysis of network data. This session invites contributions that attempt to explain the emergence or evolution of social networks by linking individuals’ behaviour to social network dynamics through ABMs in studying e.g., processes of social selection, social influence, diffusion, opinion polarization, social conflicts or cooperation. Particularly — but not exclusively — welcome are contributions bridging theoretical ABM, empirical data, and statistical models of network-generating processes (e.g., ERGM, SAOM).