The study of social dynamics, inspired by tools from statistical physics and network science, has deepened our understanding of how individual interactions influence collective behavior. This project will build new models considering how people form opinions on multiple, related topics and how behaviors spread through complex group interactions. Moreover, we will test these models through controlled experiments with human participants to see how they behave in real-world social settings.

We will focus on three core areas:
1. Multidimensional Opinion Dynamics: We will use data from online platforms like Reddit to study how people form opinions on multiple, interconnected topics. We will analyze how these multidimensional opinions influence the creation of echo chambers and polarization. We will also explore ways to reduce the complexity of these systems by identifying and collapsing redundant dimensions that represent closely correlated topics.
2. Complex Contagion in Higher-Order Networks: Building on the concept of simple pairwise interactions, we will explore how behaviors,



beliefs, and ideas spread through networks with higher-order structures. Our focus will be on developing theoretical models that capture the dynamics of behavior spread in complex social networks, where interactions involve multiple individuals and relationships evolve over time.
3. Experimental Validation: To ensure our theoretical models accurately reflect real-world social dynamics, we will conduct controlled online experiments with human participants. These experiments will allow us to test specific hypotheses about the impact of echo chambers and higher-order interactions on opinion formation and social contagion. By combining rigorous modeling with empirical validation, we aim to establish a strong connection between theory and observation. We will study a real-world scenario, involving opinions regarding actions to face climate change.

Requirements that candidates must meet

GENERAL

B

📌 Post doctoral Project Researcher for Disentangling Higher-Order Structures in Social Dynamics: From Models to Experiments (Barcelona)
🏢 Pompeu Fabra University
📍 Barcelona