Brian Uzzi opens the Frontiers in Social Network Research seminars
The first seminar of the series, "Evidence of a Universal Lexicon for Communicating Innovative Ideas in Science", by Brian Uzzi of the Kellogg School of Management.
The Department of Management and Technology and the SDA Bocconi Network Innovation Lab hosted the first seminar of the series Frontiers in Social Network Research.
“Evidence of a Universal Lexicon for Communicating Innovative Ideas in Science”
Speaker: Brian Uzzi, Richard L. Thomas Professor of Leadership and Organizational Change, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University; Northwestern Institute on Complex Systems (NICO) and Ryan Institute on Complexity (RIC)
When: Friday 3 October 2025, 12:45
Where: Room 4E4SR03
Abstract
Converting science into innovations frequently depends on a researcher’s ability to effectively convey the merits of new ideas. This communication process is especially crucial for success in grant funding, publishing, and patenting. Nevertheless, the scientific study of the importance of communicating the merits of good ideas is nascent. In this presentation, I report on semantic analyses of grant applications, peer review, and patenting with a focus on scientific promotional language, which purportedly conveys an innovative idea’s originality and significance. I find that promotional language is strongly associated with receiving grants, publishing, and patenting, suggesting a generalizable result with broad implications for science and business. Promotional language also works differently with reviewers who have different levels of expertise, closing the evaluation gap found between reviewers with high and low expertise.
