The Social Dynamics Lab at New York University Abu Dhabi studies how social relationships, the environments in which they unfold, and emerging technologies shape access to opportunity, the distribution of influence, and patterns of inequality. We use quantitative and computational methods to connect individual interactions with broader social patterns.
The lab takes its name and inspiration from Michael Macy’s Social Dynamics Laboratory at Cornell University, which was an intellectual home for Ben during his doctoral training and remains an important influence on the lab’s approach to social science.
Team Members
- Ben Rosche (Principal Investigator): Ben is an Assistant Professor of Computational Social Science at NYU Abu Dhabi.
- Ashmit Mukherjee: Ashmit is an undergraduate researcher in Computer Science at NYU Abu Dhabi. His research focuses on machine learning, human–AI interaction, and experimental methods.
- Mohamad Altrabulsi: Mohamad is an undergraduate researcher at NYU Abu Dhabi, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Applied Mathematics.
Collaborating with Me
I welcome collaborations with students, postdoctoral researchers, faculty, and others interested in how social relationships, social environments, and technology shape life chances and inequality. I am especially interested in working with researchers who bring—or would like to develop—strong quantitative and computational skills and apply them to substantive questions about society.
Many kinds of skills, knowledge, and experience can enrich a collaboration. You might bring methodological expertise, familiarity with a particular region or community, access to unique or underused data, or curiosity about an unexpected social pattern that deserves closer investigation. Whether you have a well-defined research question or an early idea you would like to explore, I would be glad to hear from you.
Opportunities for Students
Prospective students interested in working with me can apply to New York University Abu Dhabi through several pathways, including the Social Research and Public Policy (SRPP) undergraduate program, the Master’s in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, and the NYU Global PhD Program. Research assistantships and visiting student arrangements may also be possible when suitable opportunities are available.
Current NYUAD students from any major are welcome to get in touch. Whether you would like to contribute to an existing project, develop a research idea of your own, or strengthen your quantitative and computational skills, I would be happy to discuss possible ways of working together.
If you are interested in joining or collaborating with the Social Dynamics Lab, please email me at benrosche at nyu dot edu. Include a brief introduction and describe the research questions, substantive topics, or methodological skills you would be interested in exploring or developing.