When I set out to map my visual network, I wanted more than a list of names. I wanted a way to see the relationships that shape my work, learning, and professional identity. Using Kumu, I created a visual representation that brings together the many people who appear across my LinkedIn connections, my day‑to‑day collaborations, and the communities I move through. The result is a living portrait of my relational ecosystem: complex, interconnected, and deeply human.

Kumu allowed me to move beyond a linear or hierarchical view of my network. By placing individuals in relation to one another, the map highlights patterns that are often invisible in everyday professional life—clusters of shared work, bridges between communities, and the people who anchor my sense of belonging. Much of the foundational information came from LinkedIn, which offered a clear record of who I am connected to and the contexts in which those relationships were formed. The resulting map includes colleagues, mentors, collaborators, and acquaintances whose influence is meaningful even when our interactions are infrequent.

This mapping exercise resonates strongly with Dron and Anderson’s (2014) argument that networks are one of the most powerful yet underutilized social forms of learning. While groups rely on shared norms, coordinated activity, and structured membership, networks operate differently: they are loose, fluid, and centered on individual connections. Learning in networks emerges through exposure, diversity, and the unexpected interactions that occur when people with different experiences and perspectives intersect. Seeing my own network visualized made this argument tangible—the learning potential is not located in any single cluster but in the spaces between them.

To make sense of the diversity of relationships represented in the map, I organized my connections into three categories: strong, active, and weak ties. These distinctions were not about ranking people; they were about understanding the different roles relationships play in my professional life.

  • Strong ties — my inner circle, the people with whom I share deep trust, frequent communication, and mutual support. They form the emotional and intellectual core of my network.
  • Active ties — the colleagues and collaborators who shape my day‑to‑day professional world. These relationships are rooted in shared roles, tasks, and responsibilities.
  • Weak ties — familiar faces from past projects, shared communities, or occasional interactions. Even with limited contact, these connections broaden my perspective and expand the edges of my network.

What the map ultimately reveals is that my network is not a hierarchy but an ecosystem. Each connection—whether strong, active, or weak—contributes to how I learn, collaborate, and show up in my work. The visual makes visible what is often invisible: the relational labour, accumulated interactions, and shared histories that inform my professional identity.

Footnote: AI (Microsoft Copilot) was used to improve the language in the final draft of this reflection. All ideas are authentically mine.

References

Dron, J., & Anderson, T. (2014). Teaching crowds : learning and social media. AU Press, Athabasca University. https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/355