Statistical Sociogenomics - Online Course
A 3-Day Livestream Seminar Taught by
Robbee WedowThursday, February 22 –
Saturday, February 24, 2024
10:00am-12:30pm (convert to your local time)
1:30pm-3:30pm
A growing number of social science data sources are providing molecular genomic data, and social scientists have increasingly become interested in using this information to better understand various social and demographic phenomena.
For instance, in 2018 a groundbreaking article in the journal Nature Genetics used a sample of over 1.1 million individuals to identify over a thousand places in the human genome that were highly associated with educational attainment. Other scientists have used the results of studies like this to demonstrate how genetic signatures for educational attainment predict social mobility into midlife.
In this course, you will learn cutting-edge methods for studying the nexus of social, behavioral, and genomic processes, as well as engage with the ethics involved in such work. The course is unique in its critical eye toward ethics, misinterpretations, and potential social implications of social science genetics. In addition to learning an array of methods, we will spend significant time considering how statistical parameters from genetics research can so easily be misinterpreted or misunderstood, and how to evaluate the literature in the field.
Starting February 22, we are offering this seminar as a 3-day synchronous*, livestream workshop held via the free video-conferencing software Zoom. Each day will consist of two lecture sessions which include hands-on exercises, separated by a 1-hour break. You are encouraged to join the lecture live, but will have the opportunity to view the recorded session later in the day if you are unable to attend at the scheduled time.
*We understand that finding time to participate in livestream courses can be difficult. If you prefer, you may take all or part of the course asynchronously. The video recordings will be made available within 24 hours of each session and will be accessible for four weeks after the seminar, meaning that you will get all of the class content and discussions even if you cannot participate synchronously.
Closed captioning is available for all live and recorded sessions. Live captions can be translated to a variety of languages including Spanish, Korean, and Italian. For more information, click here.
More details about the course content
We will discuss literature relevant to social science genetics research examining a range of outcomes and methods. We will also do hands-on computing exercises to learn what the data looks like, how methods are applied, and how research is conducted in the field. We will learn methods including behavior genetics twin and family models, heritability and genetic correlations, genome-wide association studies, and polygenic score construction using real data. During the module on ethics, we will also analyze how research in social science genetics is conveyed and covered in the media.
By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the methods and topics in social science genetics and will be able to read and interpret literature in the field related to this exciting, emergent, and interdisciplinary field.
We will discuss literature relevant to social science genetics research examining a range of outcomes and methods. We will also do hands-on computing exercises to learn what the data looks like, how methods are applied, and how research is conducted in the field. We will learn methods including behavior genetics twin and family models, heritability and genetic correlations, genome-wide association studies, and polygenic score construction using real data. During the module on ethics, we will also analyze how research in social science genetics is conveyed and covered in the media.
By the end of the course, you will be familiar with the methods and topics in social science genetics and will be able to read and interpret literature in the field related to this exciting, emergent, and interdisciplinary field.
Computing
This seminar will use R as the base software and incorporate genomics software, such as Plink 1.9, LDSC, PRSice, LDPred2, Genomic SEM (R Package), and MTAG. All software and the datasets used for exercises will be distributed as a script with easily installable software packages and data files.
Basic familiarity with R is highly desirable, but even novice R coders should be able to follow the presentation and do the exercises.
If you’d like to take this course but are concerned that you don’t know enough R, there are excellent on-line resources for learning the basics. Here are our recommendations.
This seminar will use R as the base software and incorporate genomics software, such as Plink 1.9, LDSC, PRSice, LDPred2, Genomic SEM (R Package), and MTAG. All software and the datasets used for exercises will be distributed as a script with easily installable software packages and data files.
Basic familiarity with R is highly desirable, but even novice R coders should be able to follow the presentation and do the exercises.
If you’d like to take this course but are concerned that you don’t know enough R, there are excellent on-line resources for learning the basics. Here are our recommendations.
Who should register?
If you want to learn the fundamental principles of statistical sociogenomics to apply them to enrich your social and behavioral research, this course is for you. It will impart the skills to model the nexus of social, behavioral, and genomic processes using large datasets like the Health and Retirement Study and UK Biobank, as well as engage with the ethics involved in such work. You should have a basic knowledge of regression methods
If you want to learn the fundamental principles of statistical sociogenomics to apply them to enrich your social and behavioral research, this course is for you. It will impart the skills to model the nexus of social, behavioral, and genomic processes using large datasets like the Health and Retirement Study and UK Biobank, as well as engage with the ethics involved in such work. You should have a basic knowledge of regression methods
Seminar outline
Day 1: Introduction twin and family models and genetic data
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- Intro to computing environment and R
- Quantitative genetic theory: twin and family models; broad sense heritability
- Genetic data primer and data cleaning (quality control)
- Basic linear and logistic GWAS
Day 2: SNP-based heritability, genetic correlations, polygenic scores
-
- LD Score heritability (narrow sense heritability)
- LD Score genetic correlations
- Polygenic scoring with PRSice & LDPred2
- Sociogenomic applications using polygenic scores
Day 3: Multivariate methods, Mendelian Randomization, Ethics
-
- MTAG (Multi-Trait Analysis of GWAS)
- Genomic SEM
- Sociogenomic applications using MTAG and Genomic SEM
- Mendelian randomization
- Ethical concerns and communication in sociogenomics
Day 1: Introduction twin and family models and genetic data
-
- Intro to computing environment and R
- Quantitative genetic theory: twin and family models; broad sense heritability
- Genetic data primer and data cleaning (quality control)
- Basic linear and logistic GWAS
Day 2: SNP-based heritability, genetic correlations, polygenic scores
-
- LD Score heritability (narrow sense heritability)
- LD Score genetic correlations
- Polygenic scoring with PRSice & LDPred2
- Sociogenomic applications using polygenic scores
Day 3: Multivariate methods, Mendelian Randomization, Ethics
-
- MTAG (Multi-Trait Analysis of GWAS)
- Genomic SEM
- Sociogenomic applications using MTAG and Genomic SEM
- Mendelian randomization
- Ethical concerns and communication in sociogenomics
Payment information
The fee of $995 includes all course materials.
PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted.
Our Tax ID number is 26-4576270.
The fee of $995 includes all course materials.
PayPal and all major credit cards are accepted.
Our Tax ID number is 26-4576270.