Local influences and collective outcomes in opinion dynamics on complex networks

Project description

How do opinions spread, polarise, or reach consensus in our modern connected society? How can we control influence to steer outcomes? This project is devoted to study of opinion dynamics on networks using dynamical systems and network science, combining analytical and numerical modelling. You will formulate, analyse and simulate models of interacting agents on networks and quantify when the agents converge to consensus, fragment into camps or exhibit opinion swings. The next interesting question is to design and evaluate influence control strategies (for example, influencing stubborn agents or making minimal interventions on the network structure) to create desired behaviours of opinion distributions, for example, faster consensus or reduced polarisation.

Co-supervisors

Dr Yang Shi, Dr Jody McKerral

Assumed knowledge

MATH3702, dynamical systems, Python.

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.