Abstract

Social networks significantly influence our access to opportunities and resources, affecting both individual and societal outcomes. But what are the consequences when these networks amplify inequality? This interactive talk introduces “Network Fairness,” a new area of research where ethical decision-making and a deeper understanding of people’s complex and multifaceted relationships are essential for achieving fairness in complex societies while upholding multiple moral goals. Through a series of thought-provoking scenarios, we will investigate how effort, merit, social capital, and individual choices intersect and create ethical dilemmas. Participants will engage in real-time decision-making exercises, weighing the moral considerations of each scenario. By the end of this talk, you will recognize how personal networks shape our perspectives and opportunities, understand the limitations of traditional fairness approaches within networked systems, and appreciate the need to balance multiple ethical goals in pursuit of fairness. This talk presents a work-in-progress perspective, inviting you to explore rather than adopt a one-size-fits-all solution. It aims to equip you with analytical tools to navigate complex ethical decisions in an increasingly networked world.

Bio

Lisette Espín-Noboa is a Visiting Professor at the Institute of Human-Centred Computing at TU Graz where she teaches computational methods to measure inequality and fairness in social networks. She is also a senior postdoctoral researcher at the Complexity Science Hub (CSH), where she is part of the Algorithmic Fairness and Network Inequality group. She is also affiliated with the Department of Network and Data Science at Central European University (CEU). Her work bridges Computational Social Science, Network Science, and Artificial Intelligence, with a special focus on achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At CSH, Dr. Espín-Noboa examines algorithmic fairness through a social network lens, identifying conditions under which network-driven inequalities in decision-making are justifiable or unjust (aligned with SDGs 5, 10, and 16). She also studies the role of collaboration networks, parenthood, and online visibility in academic success and is developing a tool to increase the visibility of under-represented scholars (SDG 5). At CEU, she leverages multi-modal data sources, including satellite imagery and mobility networks, to develop high-resolution poverty maps. To enhance the reliability, she is also designing low-cost, accurate solutions that incorporate contingency plans to address missing data.

Speaker's Lunch

With the Speaker's Lunch/Dinner, our faculty offers a unique opportunity for students from the Dean's List ranking to meet renowned scientists. The relaxed atmosphere encourages open conversations and allows students to ask questions, exchange views on current research topics and build a strong professional network. By engaging directly with leading academics, students can gain valuable advice and perspectives to help them achieve their career goals and pursue their academic interests. The Speaker's Dinner/Lunch is thus an enriching addition to the regular study routine and helps to support students on their way to becoming successful and well-connected professionals in the fields of Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering.

Aida Begić (Computer Science), Emily Gombocz (Software Engineering and Management), Simon Josef Schwaiger (Software Engineering and Management), Thomas Steinberger (Computer Science, Software Engineering and Management) had the opportunity to take part in the Speaker's Dinner with Lisette Espín-Noboa.

"After an insightful and interactive talk on “Network Fairness,” I had the opportunity to join Lisette Espín-Noboa for dinner along with a small group of my student colleagues. We continued the conversation from her presentation and asked further questions about the ethical challenges in social networks, how fairness can be measured, and the real-world implications of network-driven inequalities. Lisette was incredibly open, taking time to explain concepts and share how her research connects with broader social goals. We spoke not only about her research, but also about our own academic paths, aspirations, and the challenges we face as young academics. I really appreciated how open and approachable she was. It was both an inspiring and eye-opening evening. Thank you for the opportunity and the inspiring discussion!" by Aida Begić