Back to the Future: Strengthening Interdisciplinary Research in Social Capital
Facilitator/s:
Dr. Christopher Paul, North Carolina Central University
Workshop Description:
The Social Capital 2026 Conference provides the unique opportunity to reflect on the intellectual development of social capital as an interdisciplinary phenomenon. This workshop will survey and engage with the multidisciplinary perspectives on social capital of the participants. Social capital emerged from sociology and has since influenced research and practice in fields including economics, political science, psychology, public health, education, urban planning, and social network analysis. This interactive workshop surveys those disciplinary lenses and engages participants in collectively applying these lenses to research and application, drawing upon the insights and expertise of participants.
The workshop will start by mapping core constructs and frameworks of Social Capital (e.g. bonding, bridging, linking; norms, trust, reciprocity; networks) in relation to multiple disciplines. Participants then will work in intentionally interdisciplinary groups in three structured exercises. Groups will first examine social capital approaches in short provided cases (e.g., civic participation, disaster resilience, health equity, workforce mobility) to introduce different perspectives. Groups will then conduct a “Lens Swap” exercise to identify the uses, assumptions, measures, and validity threats in disciplinary study of social capital. Third, groups will help compose an “Interoperability Canvas” to specify shared variables, complementary methods (e.g. qualitative approaches, survey and administrative data, network analysis), and the relevant design choices for impactful research results. Participants will leave with practical frameworks for conducting and evaluating interdisciplinary social capital research.
Finally, the workshop will explore how AI tools (e.g. literature mapping, citation-network exploration, natural language queries, and LLM-assisted coding) can support each stage of interdisciplinary work on social capital. This session complements theory-focused and application-focused conference offerings by examining how disciplines mutually contribute to and benefit from social capital research.
Objectives or Learning Outcomes:
-Identify and define core social capital constructs across multiple disciplines.
-Apply disciplinary lenses in assessing social capital research to reveal assumptions, measures, and validity considerations.
-Design interdisciplinary research approaches using an “interoperability canvas” that integrates complementary methods and shared variables
-Explore AI-assisted interdisciplinary investigation of social capital
Intended Audience:
This workshop is designed for researchers, students, and research-engaged practitioners across disciplines who study or apply social capital concepts. Participants will benefit most if they have foundational knowledge of social capital in at least one disciplinary context.
Accessibility Considerations:
This workshop will be accessible and inclusive by:
-Providing materials in electronic and printed formats
-Structuring small-group activities to accommodate diverse participation styles (verbal, written, digital)
-Using visual frameworks and structured templates to support varied learning preferences
-Welcoming questions and clarifications throughout to ensure shared understanding
About the Facilitator/s:
Christopher J. Paul, Ph.D., is Associate Professor and Chair of Public Administration at North Carolina Central University and a nonprofit board leader. His teaching and applied research focus on social capital, environmental health, and civic engagement. He works across disciplines with policymakers and community organizations on strategic leadership, human-environment interactions, and education.