Interaction networks on digital platforms: polarization, radicalization, and conflicts

• Grant number: 24/12936-5
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: April 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Computer Science - Computing Methodologies and Techniques
• Principal Investigator: Ruben Interian Kovaliova
• Grantee: Ruben Interian Kovaliova
• Host Institution: Instituto de Computação (IC). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated researchers: Francisco Aparecido Rodrigues

Abstract

This research project focuses on identifying, studying, and characterizing social phenomena, such as polarization, radicalization, and conflicts, through empirical analysis and modeling of interaction networks on digital platforms and computer systems. The project aims to leverage the existing capacity to collect and analyze on a large scale the interactions between individuals on digital platforms and the content generated on them to identify the characteristics, attributes, and structure of groups and communities on these platforms. The project explores the influence of various types of interactions on social networks and their content in forming polarized and radicalized groups. The intensity and nature of interactions between groups within networks are assessed, detecting the propagation of sequences of negative interactions and identifying characteristics shared by accounts that initiate this propagation. Approaches are used to reveal the static and dynamic structure of groups or communities, study their hierarchical organization, and detect the risk of radicalization of these groups. The expected results involve contributing to understanding the dynamics of complex social systems and providing relevant insights and recommendations for developing algorithms, systems, and policies that promote a healthier digital environment prone to conflict mitigation. (AU)