Rob Ackland presents at the Network Science Institute, Northeastern University

Rob Ackland gave a presentation at the Network Science Institute, Northeastern University, USA in April. The presentation outlined preliminary findings from a joint research project with Mathieu O'Neil (University of Canberra), focusing on activism on Twitter.

Through the use of network analysis, the research extends the application of Frame and Field theories to online protest activity, utilising Twitter data from the Occupy Wall Street movement . Two core aspects of Field theory were investigated: the behaviour of incumbents and new entrants in response to a new issue or frame, and the dynamics of field formation.

The project is a continuation of their previous research on environmental social movement organisations and online collective identity formation.