05 November 2025

Meet Simon Walo, new postdoc specialising in sociology of work, sociology of culture, and sociology of science. He's currently trying to extract causal claims from a large corpus of scientific abstracts and plan to use these data to create a network of causal relationships. Besides his interest in research, he also has a soft spot for music. Time these days is limited, but he still tries to go to concerts as much as possible.

What drew you to apply for the SweCSS Visiting Fellows Program, and how does it align with your research interests?

I was drawn to apply for the SweCSS Visiting Fellows Program because it offers a unique opportunity to conduct independent research within an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment. The program’s focus aligns closely with my current interests in computational social science, particularly at the intersection of natural language processing (NLP) and network analysis. SweCSS brings together some of the leading scholars in this field, and I am eager to exchange ideas, learn from their expertise, and contribute to ongoing discussions.

What do you hope to gain from your time as a Post-doc at SweCSS?

During my time as a Post-doc at SweCSS, I hope to lay the foundation for a long-term and cohesive research agenda that bridges my current interests with new directions in computational social science. I am particularly eager to connect with researchers who share similar interests and to build collaborative relationships that could lead to future joint projects. In addition, I look forward to deepening my understanding of computational methods and exploring topics that I have not yet worked with, expanding both my technical skills and theoretical perspectives.

What do you hope to contribute as a Post-doc at SweCSS?

As a Post-doc at SweCSS, I hope to contribute an exciting and engaging research project that can serve as a platform for collaboration with others in the community. I also aim to bring a unique theoretical perspective shaped by my diverse academic background, which I believe can complement and enrich the ongoing work at both IAS and IDA. Through both my research and interaction with colleagues, I hope to foster an open, interdisciplinary exchange of ideas that advances our collective understanding of computational social science.

What are you most looking forward to about starting your Post-doc at SweCSS?

I am most looking forward to finally developing the research project idea that I have been refining for several years and bringing it to life within the supportive environment of SweCSS. This post-doc also represents an important step in completing my transition into computational social science, allowing me to fully integrate computational methods into my research practice. Beyond that, I am excited to get to know the people at IAS and IDA, learn more about their work, and become part of a vibrant and intellectually stimulating community.

What advice would you give to someone considering applying to the program?

My main advice would be: apply! It’s a great program that offers substantial freedom and an inspiring research environment. It’s especially well suited for those who already have an idea of what they want to work on, since the program encourages independence and self-driven projects. At the same time, I would recommend staying open to new topics, methods, and collaborations. SweCSS brings together people with diverse expertise, and engaging with their work can be incredibly rewarding. It’s also a good idea to explore the current research of SweCSS fellows and faculty at IAS and IDA before applying, to see how your interests might connect with ongoing projects.

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