Rate Professor Robert Ackland

Professional Summary: Professor Robert Ackland

Professor Robert Ackland is a distinguished academic at the Australian National University (ANU), recognized for his expertise in computational social science, digital sociology, and online social networks. With a career spanning economics, sociology, and data science, he has made significant contributions to understanding the social and economic impacts of digital technologies and the internet.

Academic Background and Degrees

Professor Ackland holds advanced degrees in economics and related fields, equipping him with a strong interdisciplinary foundation:

• PhD in Economics, Australian National University
• Master of Commerce (Economics), University of Melbourne
• Bachelor of Economics, University of Queensland

Research Specializations and Academic Interests

Professor Ackland’s research focuses on the intersection of technology and society, with particular emphasis on:

• Computational social science and digital sociology
• Online social networks and their socioeconomic impacts
• Digital inequality and access to technology
• Web archiving and big data analysis for social research

Career History and Appointments

Professor Ackland has held several key academic positions, primarily at ANU, where he has shaped research and teaching in digital social science:

• Professor, School of Sociology, Australian National University
• Leader, Virtual Observatory for the Study of Online Networks (VOSON) Lab, ANU
• Previously held positions in economics and social research before transitioning to sociology and digital studies at ANU

Major Awards, Fellowships, and Honors

Professor Ackland’s contributions to computational social science have been recognized through various accolades:

• ARC Future Fellowship, Australian Research Council, for research on digital social behavior
• Recognition for contributions to web archiving and digital research methodologies

Key Publications

Professor Ackland has authored numerous influential works, including books and peer-reviewed articles:

• Book: Web Social Science: Concepts, Data and Tools for Social Scientists in the Digital Age (2013)
• Article: "Mapping the U.S. Political Blogosphere: Are Conservative Bloggers More Prominent?" (2005)
• Article: "Online Collective Identity: The Case of the Environmental Movement" (2011, with Mathieu O’Neil)
• Multiple papers on digital networks and computational methods in journals such as Social Networks and Journal of Social Structure

Influence and Impact on Academic Field

Professor Ackland is a pioneer in the field of computational social science, particularly through his development of the VOSON Lab at ANU, which has become a hub for innovative research on online networks. His tools and methodologies for analyzing digital interactions have been widely adopted by social scientists globally. His work on digital inequality has also informed policy discussions on access to technology and the societal impacts of the internet.

Public Lectures, Committees, and Editorial Contributions

Professor Ackland is actively engaged in the academic community through various roles and public contributions:

• Regular speaker at international conferences on digital sociology and computational social science
• Contributor to editorial boards and peer review for journals in sociology and data science
• Advisor on projects related to web archiving and digital research infrastructure