The Center for Social Data Analytics Colloquium: Jared Edgerton

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Title: Beyond Borders: Networked Interactions as Spatial Data

Abstract: The analysis of spatial politics has been hampered by methodological limitations in measuring dynamic movements across geographic spaces. This challenge is especially pronounced in conflict studies, where these processes are highly interconnected and local. We address this gap by introducing a novel spatiotemporal network measure that transforms  event data into a continuous network of interactions. We validate this measure by testing it against established theories on rebel tactics and conducting exploratory analyses. We also assess the measure’s predictive accuracy against existing approaches. Our results support the measure, reaffirm theories, highlight variation in rebel tactics by group goals, and improve predictive accuracy. Beyond conflict studies, the proposed measure can be applied to protests, state repression, and other forms of spatial politics.

Bio: Jared Edgerton is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and a faculty affiliate with the Institute for Computational and Data Sciences. His research examines how networked relations and group membership shape political processes. He employs computational methods including machine learning, natural language processing, network analysis, and complex systems modeling. Prior to joining Penn State, he was a postdoctoral fellow with Stanford University’s Human Trafficking Data Lab and earned his Ph.D. in Political Science from The Ohio State University.