David Schaefer

Biography

David Schaefer's research draws upon a network perspective to examine how the structure of social relations affects individual opportunities and outcomes. Specifically, he is interested in the role of social networks in the diffusion of information, norms, and influence and outcomes related to delinquency, health, social capital, and inequality. Another line of research focuses on network dynamics, which includes the mechanisms underlying the creation of social networks and the forces that drive network evolution. He examines these processes using a combination of observational, experimental, and survey methods as well as agent-based models. His latest research considers how forms of exchange and the types of resources available to people impact the development of inequality, trust, and solidarity.