\maketitle
-My research is focused on collective action in online communities and
-seeks to understand why some attempts at collaborative production --
-like Wikipedia and Linux -- build large volunteer communities while
-the vast majority never attract even a second contributor. I am
-particularly interested in how the design of communication and
-information technologies shape social outcomes like the decision to
-join a community or contribute to a public good. My research is deeply
-interdisciplinary and lies at the intersection of sociology,
-communication, and human-computer interaction. I analyze data from
-online communities that make failures of collective action newly
-visible with ``big data'' research methods from software engineering
-to answer fundamental social scientific questions.
-
-Seeking to understand the determinants of collective action, my
-research has been driven by three overlapping themes: (1)
-population-level observational studies comparing failures to build
-communities to the rare successful attempts; (2) attention to the role
-of reputation and status in the mobilization of volunteers; and (3)
-analyses of design changes as ``natural experiments'' to build a
-deeper, and often causal, understanding of social processes from
+I study collective action in online communities and seek to understand
+why some attempts at collaborative production -- like Wikipedia and
+Linux -- build large volunteer communities while the vast majority
+never attract even a second contributor. I am particularly interested
+in how the design of communication and information technologies shape
+fundemental social outcomes with broad theoretical and practical
+implications -- like the decision to join a community or contribute to
+a public good. My research is deeply interdisciplinary, consists
+primarily of ``big data'' quantitative analyses, and lies at the
+intersection of sociology, communication, and human-computer
+interaction.
+
+Using Internet-based peer production projects as my research settings,
+my work seeks to understand the conditions for collective action using
+observational data from real communities. This work has been shaped
+by three complentary approaches: (1) the comparison of failures to
+build communities to rare successful attempts through the use of
+projects as the unit of analysis; (2) attention to the role of
+reputation and status in the mobilization of volunteers; and (3)
+analysis of design changes as ``natural experiments'' building a
+deeper, and often causal, understanding of social processes using
observational data. Nearly all of my work incorporates at least two of
-these themes.
+these approaches.
-\section{Population-Level Observational Studies}
+\section{Projects As Unit of Analysis}
Although there have been many thousands of studies of online
-collective action and peer production, the vast majority of these
-studies have only considered successful projects like Wikipedia and
-GNU/Linux. The majority of research on collective action -- online
-and off -- has only considered projects that have successfully
-mobilized. In this sense, most previous analyses of
-collection action have systematically selected on their dependent
-variable. Most of my research treats projects as the unit of analysis
-and mobilization as the dependent variable to compare successful
-examples of collective actions to failures.
+collective action the vast majority have only considered successful
+projects like Wikipedia and Linux. The majority of research on
+collective action -- on and offline -- has only considered projects
+that have successfully mobilized. In this sense, most previous
+analyses of collection action have systematically selected on their
+dependent variable. Most of my research treats projects as the unit of
+analysis and collective action as the outcome of interest.
% \begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.4\textwidth}
% \begin{centering}
\vspace{-2em}
\end{wrapfigure}
-
-For example, in a working paper that is part of my dissertation, I
-compare Wikipedia to seven attempts to create online collaborative
-encyclopedia projects that were launched before Wikipedia
+In one study, I compare Wikipedia to seven attempts to create online
+collaborative encyclopedia projects that were launched previously
\cite{hill_almost_2012}. Using an inductive, grounded-theory based
analysis of founder interviews and archival data, I propose four
-hypothesis to explain why Wikipedia attracted many more contributors
-than similar projects. Although the paper's methods diverge from the
+hypothesis to explain why Wikipedia attracted many more
+contributors. Although the paper's methods diverge from the
quantitative, ``big data'' approach typical of most of my work, the
research question and strategy is representative.
I have also followed this strategy in a series of quantitative
-studies of the Scratch online community: a public website with a large
-community of users who create, share, and remix interactive media. The
+studies of the Scratch online community: a public website where a large
+community of users create, share, and remix interactive media. The
community is built around the Scratch programming environment: a
freely downloadable desktop application that allows amateur creators
to combine media with programming code (see Figure
ten percent of Scratch projects attract a second
contributor.
+In one study, forthcoming in American Behavioral Scientist, I test
+several of the most widely cited theories associated with
+``generativity'' (i.e., qualities of technology or content that make
+some works more fertile ground for collaboration). I find some support
+for existing theory but also find that, across the board, factors
+associated with more collaboration are also associated with less
+original and transformative types of joint-work
+\cite{hill_remixing_2012}. In another study of Scratch, I show that
+this type of superficial collaboration leads to negative reactions and
+community displeasure \cite{hill_responses_2010}.
+
\begin{wrapfigure}{l}{2.6in}
\begin{centering}
\includegraphics[width=2.6in]{figures/frontpage_modified-topremix.png}
\vspace{-2em}
\end{wrapfigure}
-In one study, forthcoming in American Behavioral Scientist, I test
-several of the most commonly cited theories associated with
-``generativity'' (i.e., qualities of technology or content that make
-some works more fertile ground for collaboration). I find some support
-for previous theories but also find that, across the board, factors
-associated with increased collaboration are also associated with less
-original and transformative modes of joint-work
-\cite{hill_remixing_2012}. In another study of Scratch, I show that
-more superficial collaboration leads to negative reactions and
-community displeasure \cite{hill_responses_2010}.
-
-I am conducting a similar population-level analysis in a new dataset I
-have created for my dissertation that includes 80,000 public attempts
-at wikis (i.e., public, editable, websites similar to Wikipedia). In
-my first working paper using this dataset, I consider
-inter-organizational effects of competition for volunteer labor and
-find little support for a widely cited ecological model of collective
-action from sociology that treats volunteer labor as fixed and finite
-resource. Instead, I show that contributions to different wikis on the
-same topic or theme are driven primarily by environment-level changes
-in interest and that projects can even benefit from complimentarities
-and synergies \cite{hill_is_2012}.
+This year, I am conducting a population-level analysis in a new
+dataset I have created that includes 80,000 attempts at wikis (i.e.,
+public, editable, websites similar to Wikipedia). In my first working
+paper using this dataset, I consider inter-organizational effects of
+competition for volunteer labor and find little support for a widely
+cited ecological model of collective action from sociology that treats
+volunteer labor as a fixed and finite resource. Instead, I show that
+contributions to different wikis on the same topic or theme are driven
+primarily by environment-level changes in interest and that projects
+may even benefit from complimentarities and synergies
+\cite{hill_is_2012}.
\section{Reputation and Status}
Although empirical research comparing successful and unsuccessful peer
-projects has been rare, theories have been widespread. No theory has
-been more influential than the suggestion that, in the absence of
-pecuniary rewards, contributions to online public good are driven by
-the possibility of increased reputation and status conferred upon
+production projects has been rare, theories have been widespread. No
+theory has been more influential than the suggestion that, in the
+absence of pecuniary rewards, contributions to online public goods are
+driven by the possibility of increased reputation and status for
contributors.
\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.3\textwidth}
\end{wrapfigure}
In a study of status-based awards in Wikipedia called ``barnstars''
-(see Figure \ref{fig:barnstar}) that I will be submitting to a major
-sociology journal by the end of this year, I provide an empirical test
-of an influential status-based theory of collective action from
+(see Figure \ref{fig:barnstar}) I provide an empirical test of an
+influential status-based theory of collective action from
sociology. Although the study finds support for the widely
hypothesized ``virtuous cycle'' of status rewards both causing and
being caused by contributions, it also finds that this effect is
-limited to a sub-population of contributors to Wikipedia -- i.e.,
-those who show off their awards \cite{hill_status_2012}. This result
+limited to a sub-population of Wikipedia contributors -- ``signalers''
+who show off their awards \cite{hill_status_2012}. This result
has broad implications for both status-based theories of collective
action as well the design of reputation-based rewards.
In a mixed methods study of Scratch, nominated for best paper at the
CHI 2011 conference \cite{monroy-hernandez_computers_2011}, I
-presented both a quantitative analysis of a design change and in-depth
+present both a quantitative analysis of a design change and in-depth
interviews of users to demonstrate how credit-giving is ineffective
when it stems from an automated system because systems fail to
reinforce status-ordering with credible human expressions of social
deference and gratitude.
+%\newpage
\section{Design-Driven Natural Experiments}
+Although nearly all of my work has important implications for the
+design of socio-technical systems, I have structured much of my work
+around the evaluation of technological design changes. In several
+papers, I treat design changes as ``natural experiments'' that
+exogenously change the ways that social structure is enacted. By doing
+so, I can both build causal understandings of social phenomena from
+field data, and can tighten the distance between theory and design.
+
\begin{wrapfigure}{r}{0.25\textwidth}
+ \vspace{-1em}
\begin{centering}
\includegraphics[width=1.5in]{figures/lilypad.png}
\caption{A image of the LilyPad Arduino microcontroller.}
\label{fig:lilypad}
\end{centering}
+ \vspace{-1em}
\end{wrapfigure}
-Although nearly all of my work has important implications for the
-design of socio-technical systems, I have structured much of my work
-around the evaluation of technological design changes. In several
-papers, I treat design changes as ``natural experiments'' that
-exogenously change the ways that social structure is enacted in order
-to both build causal understanding of social phenomena from field data
-and to tighten the distance between theory and and design.
-
For example, to evaluate the impact of status-based incentives and
collaboration in Scratch, I use a regression discontinuity framework
to measure the causal effect of increased status for collaboration
-\cite{hill_causal_2012}. In that study, which I am preparing for
-submission to a communication journal this fall, I show that
-highlighting collaborative projects on the Scratch web page (see the
-bottom of Figure \ref{fig:scratchfrontpage}) resulted in more
-collaboration but also caused a decrease in the amount of total effort
-exerted by contributors. Speaking to fundamental sociological work in
-the literature on collective action, I present evidence that this
-decrease is driven by both an the influx of new contributors and a
-decrease in the effort and contributions of established participants.
-
-In other papers, I have helped analyze sales records of hobbyist
-microcontrollers to suggest that relatively simple design changes in
-the \emph{LilyPad Arduino} -- a electronics toolkit minimally
-re-designed for women and girls (see Figure \ref{fig:lilypad}) -- can
-lead to large increases in the proportion of women contributors and
-drastic shifts in the type of projects created
-\cite{buechley_lilypad_2010}. In other work, I have explored how
-technical errors may be able to provide similar opportunities for
-analysis \cite{hill_revealing_2010}.
+\cite{hill_causal_2012}. I show that highlighting collaborative
+projects on the Scratch web page (see the bottom of Figure
+\ref{fig:scratchfrontpage}) resulted in more collaboration but also
+caused a decrease in the amount of total effort exerted by
+contributors. Speaking to fundamental sociological work in the
+literature on collective action, I present evidence that this decrease
+is driven by both an the influx of new contributors and a decrease in
+the effort and contributions of established participants.
+
+In other work, I have analyzed sales records of hobbyist
+microcontrollers to argue that relatively simple design changes in the
+\emph{LilyPad Arduino} -- a electronics toolkit minimally re-designed
+for women and girls (see Figure \ref{fig:lilypad}) -- lead to large
+increases in the proportion of women contributors and drastic shifts
+in the type of projects created \cite{buechley_lilypad_2010}. I have
+also explored how technical errors may be able to provide similar
+opportunities for analysis \cite{hill_revealing_2010}.
% or changes in socio-technical systems describing responsibility for a piece of software can lead to an important impact in the type and structure of contributions in peer production \cite{michlmayr_quality_2003}
My research agenda involves further exploration of the determinants of
collection action online -- especially using a series of large new
-datasets I have assembled for my dissertation. I plan to both continue
-on this research trajectory and to create new social and technical
+datasets I have recently assembled. I plan to both continue on this
+research trajectory and to create new social and technical
infrastructure that will allow others researchers to join me in ``big
-data'' observational research in active communities. This section
+data'' observational research with active communities. This section
outlines some future directions I plan to explore.
-\emph{Toolkits for Experimental Social Design} -- My research has been
-possible through personal relationships I have with a series of
-organizations with large active online communities (e.g., the MIT
-Media Lab and the Wikimedia Foundation). These organizations, like
-many others, make design changes to the software that supports their
-communities to encourage contributions and improve aspects of their
-users' experiences. Most of the time, these organizations have very
-little idea if these changes are effective. I plan to build on my own
-experience to create a technical framework, and a network of academic
-and practitioner collaborators, to facilitate well-designed natural
-experiments by the hosts of large online communities and a system for
-data sharing that allows for academic evaluation of these experiments.
-
\emph{Understanding the Relationship Between Collective Action and
Performance} -- My work has treated collective action and production
as ends in themselves and has largely avoided the consideration of
issues of performance, efficiency, and quality. Using my existing
datasets, I plan to compare the performance of collaborative
production to individually produced works to understand when
-successful collection action leads to higher performance and
-quality. In a manuscript currently under review using data from
-Scratch, I show important limitations of collaboration in remixing
-quality, particularly in regards to more artistic or media-intensive
-works \cite{hill_cost_2012}. I will explore this direction in future
-work.
-
-\emph{Integrated Theory of Design for Collective Action} --
-My studies of status provide a detailed understanding of the dynamics
-of collection action in relation to one important independent
-variable. In future work, I plan to evaluate the effect of governance
-and different systems of authority, framing, modularity and project
-complexity. In the long term, I hope to work toward a broad set of
-principles of design for online collection action and community.
-
-In graduate school, I have been fortunate to collaborate with many
-co-authors in many academic departments and I intend to continue going
-forward. In sum, my research uses design to contribute to social
-scientific theories of collective action, and uses theories of
-collective action to influence design. I believe my work offers
-implications and opportunities for a broad range of disciplines and
+successful collection action leads to increased performance. For
+example, in a manuscript currently under review using data from
+Scratch, I show important limitations of collaboration through
+remixing in regards to project quality, particularly for more artistic
+or media-intensive works \cite{hill_cost_2012}.
+
+\emph{Integrated Theory of Design for Collective Action} -- My studies
+of status and reputation provide a detailed understanding of the dynamics of
+collection action in relation to one set of important predictors. In future
+work, I plan to evaluate the effect of governance and different
+systems of authority, framing, modularity and project complexity. In
+the long term, I hope to offer a broad set of principles of
+design for online collection action and community.
+
+\emph{Toolkits for Experimental Social Design} -- My research has been
+possible through personal relationships I have with a series of
+organizations with large, active, online communities (e.g., the MIT
+Media Lab and the Wikimedia Foundation). These organizations, like
+many others, make design changes to the software that supports their
+communities to encourage contributions and improve users'
+experiences. Most of the time, these organizations have very little
+idea if these changes are effective. I plan to seek funding for, and
+to create, a technical framework and a network of academic and
+practitioner collaborators, to facilitate well-designed natural
+experiments by the hosts of large online communities and to share data
+that allows for academic evaluation of these experiments.
+
+Although I study cooperation, I also practice it. In graduate school,
+I have collaborated with a large and engaged group of co-authors in
+many academic departments. I intend to continue doing so. In sum, my
+research uses design to contribute to social scientific theories of
+collective action, and uses theories of collective action to influence
+design. Although my research settings are online communities, I
+believe my work has implications for a broad range of disciplines and
fields.
% bibliography here
projects / bmh-research_statement / commitdiff