Measuring expertise similarity in expert networks

In this paper, we present an initial work on a method for comparing expert profiles within the context of expert networks by measuring expertise similarity between experts. We introduce the concept of expertise spheres and describe how an expert expertise profile can be compared with a certain subject and how can be determined how well an expert's expertise conforms to the subject of interest. The similarity between experts' personal profiles is also defined and shown how it can be used for expert disambiguation. The proposed ideas are discussed and demonstrated within the context of a network of experts who are served as reviewers for a scientific journal.