The development of the social network perspective has progressed rapidly, evolving from " random pieces sitting out in the midst of the desert (forest?)” (Mullins & Mullins, 1973, p. 264) to a field of study that is " Finally, there is reason to be hopeful since the field of social network analysis is currently very “hot,” growing at an amazing rate.” (Freeman, 2004, p. 167). Much has changed since these early observations, as we will see through recent bibliometric studies (e.g., Espinosa-Rada & Ortiz, 2022; Maltseva & Batagelj, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024). The history of social network analysis reveals key groups and institutional milestones that have driven its development and consolidation, including events like the Sunbelt conferences, the establishment of INSNA, and the launch of network-focused journals (Freeman, 2004; Scott, 2011). The field of network science (Brandes et al., 2013) has also significantly influenced this trajectory. Furthermore, we aim to contextualize phenomena such as the “physicist invasion” and the more recent “data scientist invasion,” as well as the emergence of advanced statistical models in social network research to identify the contribution of modern interdisciplinary trends. The field continues to be shaped by a vibrant community of practitioners, as illustrated in resources like the Knitting Networks podcast.

By revisiting the history of the social network perspective, participants will gain insight into the origins of key concepts such as homophily, structural balance, cliques, or roles. They will also explore how different research groups have used social network approaches to address core questions in the social sciences. By understanding the field’s evolution, participants can more fully appreciate the opportunities and challenges the social network perspective faces today, leveraging historical insights to shape future research.