Sorin Adam Matei – College of Liberal Arts Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Education and Professor of Communication, Brian Lamb School of Communication - studies the relationship between information technology, group behavior, and social structures. His current interests focus on modeling and simulating the role of communication and information processes in collaboration and conflict, spanning from knowledge production to military command and control.
His most important book, Structural Differentiation in Social Media studied 10 years' worth of Wikipedia editing or 250 million individual contributions to the site. The volume offers a new view of how online groups emerge. It identifies specific evolutionary phases, including a bureaucratic one. The book emphasizes the role of strong, although temporary, leaders for the success of any online project.
He has published several books and tens or articles in the Journal of Communication, Communication Research, Information Society, and Foreign Policy. His work was funded by the National Science Foundation and is conducted in collaboration with colleagues from various campus units, such as Computer Science and Engineering. Dr. Matei's teaching portfolio includes game-based and competency-based courses, such as Technology and Strategy, Data Storytelling, AI ethics, Social Media Analytics, Online iInteraction and Facilitation, and Global Social Media Research. His teaching makes use of several software platforms he has codeveloped, such as Visible Effort, Visible Past, Virtual Omaha, and Tech Diplomacy. Dr. Matei is also known for his media work. He is a former BBC World Service journalist whose contributions have been published in Washington Post, National Interest, Foreign Policy, Esquire, Wall Street Journal, Times Higher Education, and leading Romanian newspapers. In Romania, he is known for his books Boierii Mintii (The Mind Boyars), Idolii forului (Idols of the forum), and Idei de schimb (Spare ideas).