Kennesaw State University is leading a research project funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to examine how ideas and information spread in digital environments. Mehmet Aktas, associate professor of data science and analytics at Kennesaw State, is heading the project in collaboration with researchers from Georgia State University and Georgia Gwinnett College.
The research focuses on modeling how information moves within groups rather than just between individuals. Traditional models often view communication as a series of one-to-one exchanges, but Aktas and his team are investigating group-based interactions, which they believe offer a more accurate representation of how ideas circulate in communities.
A key part of the project is the use of the “sheaf Laplacian,” a mathematical tool that allows the researchers to represent and analyze group discussions more precisely. This approach can help identify whether messages within these groups are supportive, misleading, or contradictory, which may explain why certain voices become influential or why communities polarize around specific topics.
“Instead of looking at a simple phone call between two people, we’re analyzing how group discussions shape the spread of ideas,” Aktas said. “That gives us a more realistic picture of how communities interact online or in settings like classrooms and health care teams.”
The research has potential applications in several areas. Businesses might use these models to choose effective influencers for product launches, hospitals could match patients with appropriate providers, and policymakers could better understand the dynamics of misinformation and work to promote responsible communication.
Each university involved brings different strengths to the project: Georgia State University contributes expertise in artificial intelligence, Georgia Gwinnett College focuses on theoretical aspects, and Kennesaw State leads the data science applications.
Yiming Ji, interim dean of KSU’s College of Computing and Software Engineering, said Aktas’s work is aligned with the college’s goals. “Dr. Aktas’s research represents the very best of CCSE’s mission, blending strong theory with practical applications that can improve society,” Ji said. “By studying how information spreads across communities, his work not only advances scientific knowledge but also provides tools that can guide better decision-making in business, health care, and civic life.”
Aktas has received funding to bring graduate and undergraduate students into the project. He expects more opportunities for collaboration when Kennesaw State opens its new Interdisciplinary STEM Building.
“Data science at KSU is vibrant and collaborative,” Aktas said. “Our project will bring in new students, spark fresh conversations, and help us better understand the networks that affect all of our lives.”
