Title:  A Control Theoretic Perspective on Social Networks

Committee:

Dr. Magnus Egerstedt, ECE, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Anthony Yezzi, ECE

Dr. Constantine Dovrolis, CoC

Dr. Yorai Wardi, ECE

Dr. Eric Feron, AE

Dr. Jeff Shamma, ECE, Co-Advisor

Abstract:

This thesis discusses the application of control theory in the study of complex networks, drawing inspiration from the behavior of social networks. There are three topic areas covered by the thesis. The first area considers the ability to control a dynamical system which evolves over a network. Specifically, this thesis introduces a novel network controllability notion known as herdability. The second area of study, which builds directly on the first, is the application of herdability to the study of complex networks. Specifically, this thesis explores how to make a network herdable. The third and final area explores modeling the spread of the adoption of a beneficial behavior or an idea in such a way that the spread is encouraged by the action of a social network. A novel model of awareness-coupled epidemic spread is introduced, in which agents in a network are aware of a virus (here representing something which should be spread) moving through the network.