Title: Practicing systems: Introduction to Social Network Analysis

Date and time: Thursday 2 November & Thursday 9 November 2023, 10.00am to 1.00pm AEDT (registration from 9.45am) Registrants are to attend both sessions. (full day workshop - 2 sessions)

Venue: Via Zoom. Details will be emailed to registrants just prior to the workshop start time

Facilitator: Matt Healey

Register online by: Wednesday 1 November 2023. Spaces limited to 25 participants

 Fees (GST inclusive): Members $295, Organisational member staff $415, Non-members $485, Student member $140, Student non-member $226. Students must send proof of their full-time student status to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

Workshop Overview

Systems practices (broadly defined as the suite of methods to understand complex systems) are moving increasingly into the spotlight. As evaluators, or those with a stake in evaluation, we are increasingly tasked with adopting newer or novel methodologies to supplement the core skills we possess.

Social network analysis (SNA) is one such systems practice. It is an approach to capturing and visualising the structure and interactions of the networks and connections that exist between individuals, groups and organisations. Focused on the social elements that operate within a network (e.g. information flows), it provides the framework for visualising complex and dynamic interplays between different stakeholders. Network analysis can reveal features and insights of networks that are otherwise difficult to see, and importantly can be used in a variety of ways including engagement, communications, workshops and evaluation.

Network analysis can be applied in any context that involves different actors or stakeholders – whether it’s about understanding partnerships among grant recipients, who communities trust and access information from during emergencies or identifying the key influencers or brokers in an organisation.

This workshop will introduce SNA as an evaluative technique, the theory that underpins SNA and the ways it is implemented. The focus is on practical application – you will walk away with the knowledge and skills to design and undertake your own network analysis in an evaluation context.

This is an introductory level workshop with no prior knowledge needed. The skills learned here will be useful for a range of responsibilities - from evaluation or program design through to stakeholder engagement. You will have access to materials and cloud-based platforms through which activities will be completed.