Sign in

Network Science Institute

@nunetsi.bsky.social
853 followers 44 following 248 posts
PostsRepliesMedia
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
AI companions can sound warm and validating, but they don’t actually feel anything. A NetSI team examines what these tools mean for users and argues that education, testing, and safeguards should come first. NGN story tinyurl.com/mvwzshf4 The research tinyurl.com/yz9pm98z
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Florida has declared local states of emergency over a #dengue outbreak. NetSI faculty member Michael Johansson, who has studied dengue for 20 years, spoke with Northeastern Global News about the rise in locally acquired cases and what may be driving it. tinyurl.com/bdhn2z8w
001
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
New Viewpoint on JMIR Mental Health from Asia Maurich Novelli, @asteixeira.bsky.social, and Sukhwinder Shergill explores the risks of using AI as a companion rather than a tool, and why conversational AI should support, not replace, human relationships. mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e99354
021
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
The 2nd edition of 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘱𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴: 𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘴, co-authored by NetSI Prof. István Kiss, is out now! The updated book reflects advances in mathematical epidemiology, including lessons from COVID-19 and the rise of higher-order networks. tinyurl.com/2cyk6v7j
061
Reposted by Network Science Institute
Andreia Sofia Teixeira @asteixeira.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
New paper! We extend the conversation around conversational AI as a tool or companion, propose a hypothesis of asymmetric co-regulation, and outline an agenda to study this new form of human–AI dyad and its consequences over time. mental.jmir.org/2026/1/e99354
mental.jmir.org
032
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Join #NetSI at Northeastern’s Roux Institute Sept. 14 for a talk by @gvegayon.bsky.social on statistical computing and data science. Explore applications in #PublicHealth and #NetworkScience, from measles risk modeling to a novel approach to ERGMs. In person or online. tinyurl.com/2yvattth
131
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
New research in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 finds that urban social mixing depends less on where people live and more on where they go each day. “Most of the mixing…is because of what [people] do,” says @estebanmoro.bsky.social of NetSI’s Social Urban Networks Lab. news.northeastern.edu/2026/08/31/i...
news.northeastern.edu
Researcher investigates how people get into the urban mix
Do modern cities still offer the opportunity to meet people from different income levels, social and ethnic groups and backgrounds?
051
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
The July–August edition of 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗜 is here! Catch up on NetSI news, research, grants, and media highlights—from the launch of 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙎𝙄 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙡𝙤𝙩𝙩𝙚 to new work on AI, human mobility, brain function, and more. Plus, meet PhD students Yixuan Liu and Dr. Sagar Kumar! mailchi.mp/neu/news-fro...
mailchi.mp
News from the Network Science Institute at Northeastern University | July-August 2026
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Nature’s July editorial on scientific illustration in the age of AI highlights its 150th anniversary cover, created with IBM Research and CCNR at Northeastern. It visualized 88,000 Nature papers as a citation network. An inspiring example of the “art of data.” tinyurl.com/55nmv4jw
nature.com
Celebrating Nature’s covers — past, present and future
Nature’s iconic front page uses inspiration, creativity and ingenuity to unite science and technology with art and design.
030
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Does AI recall scientists fairly? Yixuan Liu, a Network Science PhD student finds that LLMs disproportionately recognize already-visible, senior, Western researchers—potentially reinforcing inequities in scientific credit. Read her full story. tinyurl.com/23dmjcby
011
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Big congratulations to Cassidy Waldrip on receiving the NSF PEAR Traineeship! 🎉 Cassidy will receive two years of funding, plus specialized coursework, seminars, and mentoring to advance research on how digital platforms shape economic opportunities and society. tinyurl.com/y8xwcu9e
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Join us for a talk by Dr. Prescott Alexander. on 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝟮.𝟬 an agent-based model simulating respiratory pathogen transmission across the U.S. Using a detailed synthetic population, it captures heterogeneous outbreak dynamics & supports policy exploration & resource allocation. tinyurl.com/mu3xabwy
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
#Networks and #graphs are central to many scientific fields. 𝗶𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗵 𝟭.𝟬, a multi-institutional effort with contributions from @foucaultwelles.bsky.social, is a new software library for graph construction, analysis, & visualisation, combining fast & robust performance. tinyurl.com/2n4c8yey
020
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
How do beliefs spread among interacting LLMs? The #RADLAB team at NetSI built 𝘾𝙤𝙚𝙫𝙤𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙎𝙞𝙢 to study belief formation across networks of LLM agents, examining the roles of domain specialization, social roles, and network structure. Read the full study 🔗 arxiv.org/abs/2607.27512
031
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
How can generative AI reshape how we understand and plan cities? A new Review in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, by Esteban Moro & collaborators, examines the opportunities—and limits—of AI for urban science, emphasizing rigorous validation, context and human judgment. tinyurl.com/3sxkk84a @estebanmoro.bsky.social
011
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Huge congratulations to Professors Christoph Riedl and David Lazer, and first author Jaemin Lee, on receiving the 2026 James S. Coleman Award for Outstanding Article for their groundbreaking study on complex contagion and how social networks shape behavior! tinyurl.com/2t9zazcv
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
In this episode of NPR's 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥, @jkbren.bsky.social discusses how the use of #headers has changed during the recently concluded #FIFA World Cup. Are players heading the ball less often? And what is driving this shift? tinyurl.com/98x5746j NetSI Sport: tinyurl.com/b2cn9pkx
030
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The “AI penalty” in the workplace is real, says @criedl.bsky.social. A meta-analysis of 13 studies found that managers consistently devalued employees’ contributions once they learned AI had been used, leading to lower evaluations, and delayed promotions. www.businessinsider.com/bosses-credi...
businessinsider.com
Employees are doing the work. AI is getting the credit.
Bosses are crediting AI with work that human employees actually did. People said the mistaken attribution is delaying promotions and cutting raises.
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
New in 𝘚𝘰𝘤𝘪𝘰-𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘚𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴: Riccardo Di Clemente & colleagues introduce the 𝙁𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙀𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙤𝙢𝙮 𝙄𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙭, a data-driven framework for measuring access to essential services and identifying areas at risk of depopulation. paper: tinyurl.com/4xnd9vyv interactive tool: tinyurl.com/5xz4z3nv
001
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
New in Epidemics: @clarabay.bsky.social and the 𝗠𝗢𝗕𝗦 𝗟𝗮𝗯 team introduce the #energy #score, a metric for evaluating epidemic models by measuring how well forecasts match observed data. 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗵𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝗽𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲 🔗 tinyurl.com/mdkfdsyu
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
Mark your calendars for a talk by Joseph Wu, Professor at The University of Hong Kong, on building trust in science. Learn why vaccine hesitancy matters for pandemic preparedness and how real-time monitoring of vaccine confidence can strengthen public health responses. tinyurl.com/mrxr9fjw
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
New tool maps co-authorship across 2,737 Northeastern faculty, 11 colleges, 46 depts, 64 centers. Built by Zhuoqi Liu (NetSI co-op). Key find: only 7.1% of faculty bridge colleges — yet they hold the whole network together. Read more tinyurl.com/y2zd6t8w Explore williw7.github.io/neu-network-...
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
Can existing drugs help target the biology of aging? A new Nature Aging study maps 1,250 aging-related genes onto the human interactome, revealing network modules linked to aging hallmarks and offering a framework to identify drugs that may slow aging. www.nature.com/articles/s43...
100
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 01/07/2026
72 hours. 7 teams. 7 new preprints. 🚀 The 2026 Complexity 72h Workshop brought researchers together in London to tackle complex systems questions, and produce a paper in just three days. All seven preprints are already on arXiv: tinyurl.com/v9xtrva6 Congrats to all participants and the NetSI team! 💯
0102
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
New in NGN: a study co-authored by NetSI PhD student Sagar Kumar finds that despite decades of body positivity efforts, fashion's beauty standards have barely shifted. Analyzing 800,000+ industry records, the team reveals diversity gains without changing the underlying norm. tinyurl.com/ydeb5522
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
The Network Science Institute is excited to join TikTok! Follow us for Institute highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, community updates, and reposts of exciting content from across Northeastern University. Be sure to give us a follow @nunetsi and come along for the journey! tinyurl.com/yc455apw
010
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
Join us in London or online for the 𝙇𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙧 𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨. 𝗖𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗺𝗼 𝗔𝗴𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶 (BeyondTheEdge MSCA-DN) will discuss how information in network-driven dynamics changes across scales, with implications for prediction, causal emergence, neuroscience, and computation. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3pu6va5h
032
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
050
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 23/06/2026
@babak-heydari.bsky.social & @jkbren.bsky.social
0141
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
As millions travel for the #FIFAWorldCup2026, infectious disease risks are also on the move. Prof. Jessica Davis and the #MOBS_Lab developed a dashboard assessing importation risks across host cities, helping public health officials and travelers alike. 🔗 epistorm.github.io/IDWC26-impor...
000
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
If you are already feeling nostalgic the Photo Gallery of NetSci Conference 2026 is now available for your viewing. Enjoy! www.netsci2026.com/photos
041
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The 20th NetSci Conference was unforgettable thanks to an extraordinary lineup of speakers. From foundational insights to bold new directions, they brought analytical depth, multidisciplinary perspectives, humor, and honesty. Thank you for inspiring our community and shaping NetSci 2026!
011
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
One of the highlights of NetSci 2026? The posters. 🤩 Over three days, 300+ posters and hundreds of conversations, new collaborations, and fresh ideas. From satellite sessions to the main conference poster event, researchers across network science shared their work. Thank you to every presenter. 🙏
021
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
The World Cup isn’t just a sports event, it’s a public health challenge. The MOBS Lab, led by @alexvespi.bsky.social, developed a real-time dashboard tracking infectious disease importation risks, helping officials stay ahead of 12 pathogens. news.northeastern.edu/2026/06/11/w...
news.northeastern.edu
Could the World Cup trigger the next pandemic? Scientists mapped the risks
“Don’t panic, but don’t dismiss,” a Northeastern researcher said regarding the chances of major diseases spreading during the World Cup.
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
We are excited to announce 𝗡𝗚𝗡 𝗢𝗳𝗳𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲, a blog by Northeastern Global News (@nuglobalnews.bsky.social) born from a collaboration between Northeastern University's Network Science Institute and the university's news outlet. news.northeastern.edu/world-cup-20...
news.northeastern.edu
NGN Offside
NGN will provide a front-row seat to the World Cup with ongoing insights and analysis from Northeastern’s Network Science Institute.
021
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Congratulations to the winners and thanks to the Awards Sponsor @mdpiopenaccess.bsky.social (Entropy & Complexities) 🪧 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 • Lin Chen – Northeastern University • Flavia Petruso – EPFL • Yessica Herrera Guzmán – University of Notre Dame • Nima Moghaddas – Northeastern University
041
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Congratulations to the winners!! ⚡ 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 • Juliana Taube – Georgetown University • Anna Mancini – INFN Roma Tor Vergata
011
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Well deserved! 🎤 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗸 • Violet Ross – University of Colorado Boulder • João Brázia – Network Science Institute at Northeastern University London • Katerina Tang – Cornell University • Mattia Marzi – IMT-School of Advanced Studies Lucca
061
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The 12 players to watch during the FIFA World Cup 2026 according to NetSI Sport, based on network analysis of the Hudl Statsbomb dataset. Players who don't just score, assist, and defend but change the shape of the game with their craft. news.northeastern.edu/2026/06/08/w...
news.northeastern.edu
12 players to watch in the FIFA World Cup 2026, according to the data
Northeastern researchers analyzed 3,400+ match events to identify which players are the top threats in the 2026 World Cup.
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Congratulations to 𝗔𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁-𝗟𝗮́𝘀𝘇𝗹𝗼́ 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗮́𝘀𝗶 on receiving the 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆’𝘀 𝗘𝘂𝗹𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱! 🎉 The Society’s highest honor recognizes his pioneering work establishing the foundations of network science, including the scale-free network paradigm and universal principles shaping complex systems.
031
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Congratulations to 𝗗𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗿𝗶 𝗞𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝗸𝗼𝘃, Professor in the Departments of Physics, Mathematics, and Electrical & Computer Engineering at Northeastern University and core faculty member of the Network Science Institute for being elected a 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄. 👏
021
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
The 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗙𝗜𝗙𝗔 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 kicks off this week, and throughout the tournament, Northeastern Global News will publish insights from our 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗦𝗜 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 research group, offering a network science perspective on one of the world's biggest sporting event. news.northeastern.edu/2026/06/03/s...
news.northeastern.edu
Researchers decode hidden patterns in World Cup data
Northeastern’s Network Science Institute is using data to decode the 2026 World Cup, from passing networks to predictive models.
000
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
⚾ See you tonight at Fenway Park! NetSci 2026 attendees are heading to Boston’s iconic ballpark for a Red Sox game. Fenway is just a 25–30 min walk from the Hyatt via the BU Bridge, with MBTA and rideshare options too. Enjoy the game, and go 🔴🧦Sox!
001
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 01/06/2026
As Ebola spreads across Central Africa, NU researchers Alessandro Vespignani, Jessica Davis, & Samuel Scarpino are using AI, forecasting, and network science to turn data into actionable intelligence—helping guide the global response when every decision matters. news.northeastern.edu/2026/05/29/e...
news.northeastern.edu
How Northeastern is helping to try and contain the Ebola outbreak
As the 2026 Ebola outbreak grows, Northeastern scientists are providing intelligence, analyzing data, and developing risk models.
020
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
Fashion may look more diverse today, but the ideal body type hasn’t changed in 25 years. A new PNAS study co-authored by NetSI PhD student @diesagar.bsky.social analyzed 793K+ fashion images and found diversity often comes through already-marginalized models. www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
052
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Thank you to our Awards Sponsors, 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘆 𝗠𝗗𝗣𝗜 & 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗠𝗗𝗣𝗜, for supporting excellence at NetSci 2026. From entropy and information theory to complex systems, continuing to advance open-access science and interdisciplinary research. www.mdpi.com/journal/entr... www.mdpi.com/journal/comp...
021
Reposted by Network Science Institute
NetSci 2026 @netsciconf.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Before the conference begins, join us for 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝗻𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗱: an informal evening on the stories behind research. Professor 𝗠𝗶𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝘃𝗮𝗻 will share the journey behind her landmark 2002 PNAS paper on community structure in networks. 📅 May 31 | 6 PM ✏️ Register: tinyurl.com/2e73wt46 🍕 Snacks included
066
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
@nytimes.com turned to #NetSI Director Alessandro Vespignani — who leads the CDC-funded Center for Advanced Epidemic Analytics and Predictive Modeling Technology #EPISTORM — for expert perspective on the #Ebola outbreak unfolding in Congo. @alexvespi.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/05/19/w...
nytimes.com
Ebola Outbreak in Central Africa Could Last Months, W.H.O. Says
000
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
What makes a city feel alive? A new study in 𝘗𝘕𝘈𝘚 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘶𝘴, with contributions from @riccardodiclemente.com, rethinks urban vibrancy through ecology and retail science. The key idea: cities thrive through activity diversity, much like ecosystems thrive through biodiversity. tinyurl.com/uuc3cja3
063
Network Science Institute @nunetsi.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
New in 𝘕𝘢𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: the #MIGHTELab team and collaborators developed a real-time ML early warning system combining Google Trends and epidemiological data to detect outbreak onsets and peaks for influenza, RSV, and ILI across all 50 U.S. states. 🔗 tinyurl.com/3sbd2nzf
010