I am a a senior data scientist with a strong quantitative background, three years of full-stack software development experience, a Ph.D. in computational social science, and more than two years as a project leader in the field of AI ethics research.
I have a strong passion for mathematical modelling of human behavior in real-world problems. To do so, I leverage numerical simulations, statistical behavioral models, and generative AI based on Large Language Models (LLMs). My primary research interests lie in the area of AI ethics, where I explore the complex interplay between AI and human decision-making so that I can design effective long-term interventions that foster social well-being. My work has been internationally recognised with publications and awards in top-tier journals such as Nature Communications.
Since May 2021, I am a Post-doctoral Researcher at
the Social Computing
Group at the University of Zürich working with Prof. Anikó Hannák. Since January 2022, I am also a member of the National Centre of
Competence in Research «Dependable, ubiquitous automation» (NCCR
Automation).
In April 2021, I completed my doctoral degree at the Automatic Control Lab at ETH
Zürich under the supervision of Prof. Florian Dörfler.
Prior to that, from 2013 to 2015, I was Software Engineer and Research consultant at
Ascomp AG.
My primary research interests lie in the realm of AI ethics, where I explore the complex interplay between technology and human behavior in an intricate network system. Through my expertise in mathematical modeling, complex systems analysis, and data science, I am able to delve into this field of study with a unique perspective and I aim to contribute valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on the ethical implications of AI and technology in our rapidly evolving digital landscape.
More precisely, my current research revolves around two pillars:
In my previous work, I investigated the impact of recommender systems within social media platforms, with a particular emphasis on discerning how these systems influence the fairness of the network formation processes.
Broadly speaking, I am interested in Social and Engineering Systems and in problems that correspond to significant societal and ethical challenges, with an emphasis on areas such as autonomous systems, energy systems, finance, social networks, urban systems, and their underlying interconnections.
[J3] S. Ioneuscu, A. Hannák, and N. Pagan: The Role of Luck in the Success of Social Media Influencers, Applied Network Science (2023).
[J2] N. Pagan, W. Mei, C. Li, and F. Dörfler: A meritocratic network formation model for the rise of social media influencers, Nature Communications 12, 6865 (2021).
[J1] N. Pagan and F. Dörfler: Game theoretical inference of human behavior in social networks, Nature Communications 10, 5507 (2019).
[C9] A. Bouleimen, N. Pagan, S. Cresci, A. Urman, and S. Giordano: Dynamics of toxic behavior in the Covid-19 vaccination debate. Forthcoming at the 12th International Conference on Complex Networks and their Applications (2023). Manuscript available upon request.
[C8] N. Pagan*, J. Baumann*, E. Elokda, G. De Pasquale, S. Bolognani, and A. Hannák: A Classification of Feedback Loops and Their Relation to Biases in Automated Decision-Making Systems. 3rd ACM Conference on Equity and Access in Algorithms, Mechanisms, and Optimization (EAAMO ’23).
[C7] S. Ionescu, A. Hannák, and N. Pagan: Group Fairness for Content Creators: the Role of Human and Algorithmic Biases under Popularity-based Recommendations 17th ACM Conference on Recommender Systems 2023.
[C6] N. Lanzetti, F. Dörfler, and N. Pagan: The Impact of Recommendation Systems on Opinion Dynamics: Microscopic versus Macroscopic Effects, 62nd IEEE Conference on Decision and Control (CDC) (2023).
[C5] A. Maddux, N. Pagan, G. Belgioioso, and F. Dörfler: Data-Driven Behaviour Estimation in Parametric Games, 22nd World Congress of the International Federation of Automatic Control (2023)
[C4] S. Ionescu, N. Pagan, and A. Hannák: Individual Fairness for Social Media Influencers, 11th Conference on Complex Networks and their applications. (2023)
[C3] J. Bao, S. Reboux, N. Pagan, and D. Lakehal: Cathare-TransAT Coupling for the Prediction of Boron Dilution in the ROCOM Test Facility, 16th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics, (2015).
[C2] Labois, M., N. Pagan, D. Lakehal, and C. Narayanan: Computational modelling of subsea hydrate formation and associated risks and impact on flow assurance, In Proceeding of 10th International Conference on CFD in the Minerals and Process Industries. (2014)
[C1] S. Altazin, B. Perucco, N. Pagan, K. Lapagna, T. Lanz, R. Knaack, E. Knapp, B. Ruhstaller: Multi-scale modeling of organic light-emitting devices, SID Symposium Digest of Technical Papers (2013).
[C10] A. Michail*, M. H. M. Pelli*, A. M. Günster, and N. Pagan: Emotions and Opinion Biases on Social Media: The Case of Abortion on Twitter. Under review at The Web Conference 2024. Manuscript available upon request.
[J5]N. Pagan and J. Baumann: Feedback loops in Automated Decision-Making Systems: a review. Manuscript available upon request.
[J4] M. Blum and N. Pagan: How Specialization Shapes Pattern Recognition: Empirical Evidence from the Domain of Chess. Manuscript available upon request.
[EA6] Azza Bouleimen, N. Pagan, Stefano Cresci, Aleksandra Urman, Gianluca Nogara, and Silvia Giordano: User’s Reaction Patterns in Online Social Network Communities, , the International School and Conference on Network Science (NetSci) (2023).
[EA5] N. Pagan*, J. Baumann*, E. Elokda, G. De Pasquale, S. Bolognani, and A. Hannák: Closing the Loop: Feedback Loops and Biases in Automated Decision-Making Systems, 2nd European Workshop on Algorithmic Fairness (EWAF'23).
[EA4] N. Pagan*, J. Baumann*, E. Elokda, G. De Pasquale, S. Bolognani, and A. Hannák: Closing the Loop: Feedback Loops and Biases in Automated Decision-Making Systems, IC2S2 (2023)
[EA3] S. Ionescu, A. Hannák, and N. Pagan: The impact of users’ homophily and recommendation biases on social network inequalities, International School and Conference on Network Science (NetSci) (2023).
[EA2] N. Pagan, W. Mei, and F. Dörfler: Emergence of Zipf’s law among social networks influencers, IFAC Conference on Networked Systems (NecSys) (2022).
[EA1] N. Pagan and F. Dörfler: Learning strategic behavior in social and economic networks, The 7th International Conference on Complex Networks and Their Applications: book of abstracts, p.207-209 (2018).
[Th1] N. Pagan: Modeling, analysis, and inference in social network formation, ETH Zürich Research Collection (2021).
[M3] Mathematics: Investigating how social media influencers arise, In: NatureAsia (2021).
[M2] What influences the rise of influencers?, In: Phys.org (2021).
[M1] N. Pagan: Can social network structure reveal human behavior?: “Behind the paper” blog post at Behavioural and Social Sciences - Nature Research (2019).
Early in my doctoral studies, I acquired teaching experience through various opportunities, including serving as a substitute instructor and head teaching assistant for undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as by delivering tutorial presentations. In spring 2021, I lectured in the course Social Computing, which focuses on the intersection between social behavior and computing systems. The aim of the course is to educate students on the impact of online platforms on human perception, social interaction, and the formation of societal norms. Through the course, I taught students how to formulate relevant research questions in this domain, how to gather data from various social media platforms, and how to analyze this data to answer their research questions.
More detailed information on my teaching experience are available on my CV.
Hiking, Climbing, Mountaineering, Mountain-biking, Skiing, Snowboarding, Ski-touring are among my favorite weekend's activities. On weekdays, I can still go out for a run, a swim in the lake. If weather is against me, you can still find me playing table-tennis indoor!
Travelling truly influences my life. I am enthusiastic about new cultures, adventures, experiences. I can't wait for the next trip! If you are curious, look at the blog my wife Lucia is curating!
I started playing chess as a kid, following my brother's example. Even though I do not have time to practice it often anymore, I am glad it fostered my logical/critical thinking.
Still at the amateur level, I try to push my photographic skills as hard as possible. Landscape photography is one of my favorite. Whenever possible, I combine it with travelling and outdoor sports.
