Introduction

member of ICS Research line: Cooperation in Social and Economic Relations

Rense Corten is a assistant professor at the department of Sociology and the ICS. 

Areas of expertise

Analytical sociology, (dynamics of) social networks, social dilemmas, online social networks, economic sociology, methods.

Links

Blog
Department of Sociology, UU (Dutch)
Research Center ICS Utrecht
Undergraduate sociology program (BA), UU (Dutch)
Master's Program on Policy Studies, UU
International Network for Social Network Analysis

Research programme "Dynamics of Cooperation, Networks and Institutions"

Experimental Laboratory for Sociology and Economics (ELSE)

CV

Education
2009     Ph.D. in Social Sciences, Utrecht University

2004     M.S. in Sociology, Utrecht University

Academic Positions

2011-present: Assistant professor at the department of Sociology/ICS, Utrecht University

2010 – 2011: Visiting Scholar at the Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, Stanford University

2009 – 2010: Postdoctoral researcher at the department of Sociology/ICS, Utrecht University

Download detailed C.V. including list of publications (pdf)

Introduction

In my Ph. D. thesis Coevolution of Social Networks and Behavior in Social Dilemmas, I try to explain the emergence of social networks in situations in which network relations are strategically formed, depending on the type of social interaction actors are involved in. One type of interactions is coordination problems such as the emergence of conventions or attitudes. The other type of interactions is cooperation problems such as R&D cooperation between alliances of firms. I develop models for both types of problems, and test predictions from these models in experimental and observational studies.

My current research extends and builds on my dissertation, and focusses on experimental studies on cooperation in dynamic networks. In addition, I am developing a new research project on online social networks.

Below is a selection of current working papers. For published work, refer the "Publications" tab.

Papers

Frey, Vincenz, Rense Corten, and Vincent Buskens. 2010. Network and information effects in the emergence of efficient conventions: Theory and experimental findings. ISCORE paper, 48 pp. Download a copy

Zijdeman, Richard, and Rense Corten. 2010. Changing patterns of witness selection. In preparation.

Corten, Rense and Andrea Knecht. 2009. Alcohol Use in a Dynamic Friendship Network as a Coordination Game. Working paper (under review).

Bojanowski, Michal and Rense Corten. 2009. Measures for Segregation in Social Networks: an Axiomatic Approach. Working paper. Download a copy


Corten, Rense, Ineke Maas and Chris Snijders. 2005. Status attainment as a competitive process: A theoretical and empirical study of the model of Boudon. Paper presented at the ISA Research Committee 28 Spring Meeting, Oslo, Norway, May 5-8 2005. Download a copy

Corten, Rense. 2004. Education, Stratification and Simulation. ISCORE paper, 78pp. Download a copy

Key publications

(Also see the "Research" tab for current working papers!)

Corten, Rense. 2012. "Composition and Structure of a Large Online Social Network in the Netherlands."  PLoS ONE 7(4): e34760. Dowload a copy: PDF | HTML

Bojanowski, Michal, Rense Corten, and Bastian Westbrock. "The Structure and Dynamics of the Global Network of Inter-Firm R&D Partnerships". Forthcoming in the Journal of Technology Transfer. Download a copy

 Corten, Rense and Vincent Buskens. 2011. “Game Theory and Networks.” In George Barnett (ed.): The Encyclopedia of Social Networks. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

Corten, Rense. 2011. “Visualization of social networks in Stata using multidimensional scaling.” The Stata Journal 11(1): 52-63.

Corten, Rense and Vincent Buskens. 2010. “Co-evolution of Conventions and Networks: an Experimental Study.” Social Networks. 32(1): 4–15. Download (via ScienceDirect)

Corten, Rense. 2009. Co-evolution of Social Networks and Behavior in Social Dilemmas: Theoretical and Empirical Perspectives. ICS Dissertation, Utrecht. Download excerpt: table of contents, introduction, summary and references.

Corten, Rense and Karen Cook. 2009. "Cooperation and Reputation in Dynamic Networks." In Paolucci, M. (ed.): Proceedings of the First International Conference on Reputation: Theory and Technology – ICORE 09, Gargonza, Italy. Download a copy

Buskens, Vincent, Rense Corten, and Jeroen Weesie. 2008. “Consent or Conflict: Coevolution of Coordination and Networks.” Journal of Peace Research 45(2): 205–222. Download

Corten, Rense and Jaap Dronkers. 2006. “School Achievement of Pupils from the Lower Strata in Public, Private Government-Dependent and Private Government-Independent Schools: A Cross-National Test of the Coleman-Hoffer Thesis.” Educational Research and Evaluation 12:179–208.

Corten, Rense and Jaap Dronkers. 2005. “Schoolprestaties van Leerlingen uit de Lagere Strata op Openbare, Bijzondere en Priv-Scholen: Een Cross-Nationale Test van de Coleman
& Hoffer These.” Pedagogische Studiën 82:205–222

Courses

Bachelor program Sociology 2011-2012:

• Models for the Analysis of Social Interaction
• Oriëntatie Leeronderzoek
• Sociologie en Sociale Sturing (minor SW)
• Bachelorthesis

Research master program "Sociology and Social Research" 2011-2012:

• SASR 6: Field Orientation and Skills
• SASR 9: Electives

Contact Information