Introduction to Sociogenomic Analysis

This workshop provides an introduction to the field of sociogenomics, a research area that integrates genetics into the social sciences. The programme is designed for individuals with no prior knowledge of the field, and will cover the promises and challenges of this interdisciplinary approach.

The workshop will feature a combination of keynote presentations, research talks, and practical exercises. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the field and equip participants with the skills and knowledge to engage in sociogenomic research.

Outcomes

• Fundamentals of Sociogenomics: Participants will gain a foundational understanding of sociogenomic research, including its theoretical underpinnings and potential applications in the social sciences.
• Practical Skills: The workshop will offer hands-on training in creating polygenic scores and conducting Mendelian Randomization analyses, which are key methods in this field.
• Networking and Mentorship: A significant component of the workshop is dedicated to fostering connections between junior and senior researchers. Participants will have ample opportunities to network and receive mentorship from established scholars in the field.
• Current Research and Methodologies: The programme will explore recent developments and methodologies, including the use of genetically-informed register data and causal inference methods. It will also address the challenges and ethical considerations associated with the use of polygenic scores.

Contributors

• Dr Gaia Ghirardi is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Bologna working at the GENPOP project. She obtained her PhD in sociology at the Department of Political and Social Science at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence. Her research aims to understand the intergenerational transmission of education and health outcomes from parents to children, also using molecular genetic data. Her works have been published in Demography, Social Science & Medicine, European Sociological Review, Social Science Research, and Research in Social Stratification and Mobility.
• Dr Alvaro Martinez-Perez is a Lecturer in International and Comparative Social Research Methods at the University of Sheffield and the Director of Advanced Data Analytics (ADA) for the WRDTP.