Research > Research Themes > Growth and Structure of Populations
In our prior application, we noted the pervasive intersection between the “demographic triad”—fertility, mortality, and migration—and our various signature themes. Reviving this dimension as a signature theme has several rationales. The PSC has a long tradition in this area (J. Durand, D. Thomas, R. Easterlin, E. van de Walle, Furstenberg, Preston, J. Menken, D. Massey, P. Morgan, Kohler). From the perspective of demography, these phenomena, plus marriage, divorce, and cohabitation, are the substantive components of the arithmetic of formal demographic methods (A1.2). A key outcome of their intersection is the age structure, and population aging research is now well established as a PSC signature theme. These substantive demographic topics are also a major source of intellectual identification across fields within the PSC, as researchers who are not trained in formal demography, but who are studying fertility, marriage, etc. are attracted to the PSC (e.g., Valeggia, Stevenson, Ríos-Rull, Greenwood).
Vision for future. Demography has been central in the PSC’s interactions with Sociology, Economics, and SAS. SAS’s commitment of 2 additional senior positions reflects the importance of this signature theme to the maintenance of the PSC’s strength. The growth and structure of populations involves experts whose primary degrees may not be in sociology; Sociology and SAS are willing to appoint in this area regardless of field of degree (Kohler, Preston, Ewbank, and Madden from economics; Elo from public policy and demography).