A seminar at the Centre for Complexity Science.
Abstract: In this talk, I will introduce recent developments in the study of signed networks, focusing on how we can model and analyse systems where relationships are not only positive but also negative. I will first present a new method for measuring structural balance, including at the level of nodes and edges, which makes it possible to track both local and global shifts in network organisation over time. This opens new directions for analysing conflict and polarisation in evolving social systems. Next, I will introduce a framework for studying the equilibrium properties of dynamically evolving signed networks, with a focus on the stability of macro-scale structures. These contributions bring together ideas from statistical physics, network theory, and social dynamics, aiming to provide tools to better understand change and stability in complex social systems.