Econometrics of Networks
Vrije University - Summer & Winter graduate programs
Key Information
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 weeks
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
EUR 525 *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* VU students
Introduction
Students will learn how to analyse the role of networks in various social and economic environments.
Networks play an increasingly dominant role in many social, business, and economic environments. Moreover, network data becomes increasingly relevant and available due to the rise of online social media and digitisation.
The course will combine online lectures with hands-on empirical and programming exercises.
Gallery
Ideal Students
The course will be accessible to advanced undergraduate and graduate students as well as practitioners from related fields.
Apart from Bachelor's and Master's students, we also welcome PhD staff to apply to the course.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Equal Access Scholarship
Application procedure
The application deadline has expired. It is no longer possible to apply for the Equal Access Scholarship.
Great that you are interested in applying for the Equal Access Scholarship. You can apply via this link (expired) for the scholarship from 1 February and 1 April. Please be aware that it is only possible to select one course.
The results of the scholarship selection will be announced in mid-May. Since we have a limited number of scholarships available for a large number of applicants, we suggest - if possible! - to complete your payment at the time of your course application to guarantee your place in the course. However, if you are not able to come without the scholarship, you can just wait until the announcement. If you would like to come, regardless of whether you will be granted the scholarship, it is best to secure your place in the course by completing your payment via our regular application form. If the scholarship is granted to you, the tuition and accommodation fees will be reimbursed.
Deadline to submit your Equal Access Scholarship application: 31 March (23:59 CET).
Photographer Scholarship
Do you love to capture moments, people, and surroundings on your smartphone/camera? Do you have good editing skills and a passion for social media? Become our summer school photographer! This photographer scholarship is only offered to those participating in a 2-week course or in case you join us for both sessions.
What do we offer:
- €500 discount on tuition fee
- A number of social activities for free (allocated by summer team, requirement: must take photos)
What do we expect from you:
- Photos of your time at VU Amsterdam Summer School (photos of fellow students, Amsterdam, excursions, and social program)
- Creating content/story takeover on the VU Amsterdam Instagram account
- Participation in the social program (free of charge and based on availability)
- Attending the photographer kick-off meeting
Application procedure*
Please send a short video where you introduce yourself (approx. 30 seconds-1 minute) and some examples of your photo work to [email protected], please use 'Photographer Scholarship' as the subject line. It is important to use your own smartphone or camera. Deadline for applications: 14 May 23:59 (CET).
As the Photographer application deadline is after the course registration deadline, it is important that you apply and pay for the course you are interested in before the application deadline of 1 May. If you end up winning the scholarship, then you will be reimbursed the €500 that the scholarship grants. If you are not granted the scholarship and are not able to join the course without the partial grant, then you can still receive a full refund until 16 May. If you are not able to join without the grant then you can also decide to wait until the winners are announced - and thus not apply for the course beforehand - however, this could mean that the course you are interested in is not available anymore. We, therefore. highly recommend, if possible, to apply via our application page before the official course registration deadline.
*If you are a summer Exchange student or a university partner nominee (course fee and/or housing is funded by your university), then you are, unfortunately, not applicable for this scholarship.
Curriculum
- Examples of Networks and Data
- Network Statistics, Visualization, and Graphs
- Elements of Graph Theory
- Graphs and Matrices
- Bipartite Graphs
- Core-periphery Networks and Nested Split Graphs
- Network Statistics: Average path length, clustering, and assortativity
- Centrality in Networks: Degree, eigenvector, Katz-Bonacich centrality, and Google's Page Rank
- Network Visualization: Force-directed, circular, and layered layout
- Econometrics of Interactions in Networks
- Spatial Autoregressive (SAR) Model
- Linear Quadratic Utility
- Endogeneity of the Spatial Lag
- Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS)
- Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE)
- Identification Issues
- Correlated Effects, Sorting, and Selection
- Endogenous Link Formation
- Multiple Spatial Weight Matrices
- Spatial Panel Data
- Econometrics of Network Formation
- Exponential Random Graph Model (ERGM)
- Conditional Edge-Independence
- Erdös-Rényi Random Graph
- Logistic Regression
- Unobservable Characteristics (beta-model)
- Tetrad Logit Estimator
- Random Utility Model
- Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE)
- Markov Chain Monte Carlo
- Gibbs Sampling
- Metropolis-Hastings Algorithm
- Stochastic Block Model (SBM)
- Temporal ERGM
- Joint Estimation of Outcomes and Network Formation
- 5.1. Coevolution of Networks and Behavior: An application to R&D collaboration networks
- Structural Model: Utility and the potential game
- Estimation
- Computational Problem and the Exchange Algorithm
- Double Metropolis-Hastings (DMH) Algorithm
- Unobserved Heterogeneity
- Empirical Illustration: R&D collaborations
- 5.2. Network Formation with Multiple Activities: An application to team production and co-authorship networks
- Bipartite Network, Production Function, and Utility
- Equilibrium Characterization and Line Graphs
- Estimation with Endogenous Matching
- Empirical Illustration: Co-authorship networks
- 5.1. Coevolution of Networks and Behavior: An application to R&D collaboration networks
- Spatial Modeling Approach for Dynamic Network Formation and Interactions
- Spatial Dynamic Panel Data (SDPD) Model
- A General Dynamic Network Formation Model
- Combining SDPD with the Network Formation Model: Joint Likelihood function
- An Empirical Application to Peer Effects on Academic Performance
- Big Data Meets Networks
- The Digital Layer: How Innovative Firms Relate to the Web
- Automated Robot for Generic Universal Scraping (ARGUS)
- Input, Interface, and Output of ARGUS
- Sectoral Hyperlink Network
- Hyperlink Types
Program Outcome
Upon successful completion of the course, students will:
- Become acquainted with different statistical methodologies for analyzing networks while learning how to see these different methodologies complementing each other.
- Learn to model network problem situations mathematically, and adapt the methods learned to new situations at hand.
- Be able to recognize, understand, and analyze societal and business problems in which networks are central.
- Learn how networks affect supply and demand in markets, how this leads to market failures, and how government policies can address these.