Dr David Griffiths

My research focuses on social connections and social advantage. I'm interested in the processes by which people become, and stay, advantaged, which raises issues of elites, social mobilities and social inequalities.

My main analytical tools are social network analysis and social survey methods. I'm particularly interested in the way that existing large-scale social surveys can be operationalised as social network datasets.

I have worked on the ESRC-funded project Is Britain Pulling Apart? which looks at the changes over time in social distance between different groups in the UK. This builds upon a previous ESRC-funded project, Social Networks and Occupational Structure, in which we examined patterns of connections between occupational groups.

Other research interests include elite theory and governance (my PhD, and a subsequent ESRC-funded Postdoctoral Fellowship, looking at the networks of quango board members), social capital more generally and exploring how people's social ties and connections influence their opportunities and life choices.

I'm particularly interested in stratification effects and understanding how the socially advantage can utilise their connections to consolidate their position.

Current PhD Students (and twitter usernames)

Mary Kent - The Utilisation of Social Media Communication to Determine Criminal Suspect Culpability and Biographical Information

Richard Kjellgren (@r_kjellgren) - Connecting the dots: Mapping covert networks and identifying patterns of vulnerability and exploitation within the off-street sex market

Cara Nethery (@CaraNethery) - Transitions and Labour Market outcomes of young people from Ethnic Minority Backgrounds in Scotland

Gaile Siusyte (@GSiusyte) - Supporting the Key Influencers of Young People's Career Development

Claire Stuart - Charity Trustees, Governance and Accountability in Scottish Charites: Modelling Trustee Dynamics Using Linked Regulator Data

Trudi Tokarczyk (@Trtok85) - Understanding the experiences of 'Generation Rent': Examining inequalities within and across generations

PhD Completions

Alhena Curreri (@NACurreri) - A Social Network Analysis of Dementia Policies and Care Arrangements in Central America

Jennifer Ferguson (@jen_m_ferguson) - The Wellbeing and Organisational Ties of Older People Living in Care Homes

Kane Needham - Social Networking and the Role of Career Management Skills - A Sociological Perspective

Daniel Sage (@djsage86) -Working for Welfare? Modifying the Effects ofUnemployment Through Active Labour Market Programmes

I'm always happy to find new research students and potential collaborators. My particular areas of interest are: Social network analysis Social advantage* Social stratification

• Social mobility
• Social inequalities Social capital Social survey analysis* Elite theory.I'm particularly interested in combining longitudinal data analysis and social network analysis. For instance, I've used census data to generate networks of occupations which appear socially connected and operationalised the British Household Panel Survey to measure the strong and weak ties of sample members. I feel there is much potential for uncovering new research opportunities through adapting network methods to survey datasets and hope this in an area I'll work on much more in the future.I'm also always happy to give presentations and workshops on social network analysis, including introductory talks on the use of the Pajek software package.