Periodic Reporting for period 2 - GENPOP (Genes, genealogies and the evolution of demographic change and social inequality)
Berichtszeitraum: 2022-04-01 bis 2023-09-30
The GENPOP project addresses the long-term evolution of population processes through the analysis of historical and contemporary data. It focuses on how population dynamics like fertility and mortality have evolved over generations, impacting demographic changes and social inequalities. Traditional demographic research often overlooks the multi-generational aspect, missing out on a comprehensive understanding of these trends.
Importance for Society
Understanding the evolution of demographic trends is crucial for society as these patterns have profound implications for social structures, economic development, and public policies. By examining the long-term effects of population changes, the project aims to provide insights into persistent social inequalities, health disparities, and the impact of family dynamics on society. This understanding is essential for designing effective policies and interventions to address current and future societal challenges.
Overall Objectives
The main objectives of GENPOP are to develop a new theoretical model for analyzing demographic changes and to investigate the long-term impact of these changes on family networks and social structures. The project seeks to:
1. Analyze the multi-generational transmission of fertility and longevity within families.
2. Examine the diversity within families and its persistence across generations.
3. Study the long-term effects of migration on family networks and social structures.
4. Describe patterns of assortative mating (spousal similarity) over the last two centuries.
5. Utilize innovative Big Data sources, like internet-based genealogies and micro-census data, to understand these demographic phenomena.
This research is expected to challenge existing theories and contribute significantly to the fields of demography, sociology, and social policy. The project's focus on the historical period from approximately 1800 to the present in Europe and the United States offers a unique perspective on how dramatic demographic and epidemiological changes have shaped modern societies.
Importance for Society
Understanding the evolution of demographic trends is crucial for society as these patterns have profound implications for social structures, economic development, and public policies. By examining the long-term effects of population changes, the project aims to provide insights into persistent social inequalities, health disparities, and the impact of family dynamics on society. This understanding is essential for designing effective policies and interventions to address current and future societal challenges.
Overall Objectives
The main objectives of GENPOP are to develop a new theoretical model for analyzing demographic changes and to investigate the long-term impact of these changes on family networks and social structures. The project seeks to:
1. Analyze the multi-generational transmission of fertility and longevity within families.
2. Examine the diversity within families and its persistence across generations.
3. Study the long-term effects of migration on family networks and social structures.
4. Describe patterns of assortative mating (spousal similarity) over the last two centuries.
5. Utilize innovative Big Data sources, like internet-based genealogies and micro-census data, to understand these demographic phenomena.
This research is expected to challenge existing theories and contribute significantly to the fields of demography, sociology, and social policy. The project's focus on the historical period from approximately 1800 to the present in Europe and the United States offers a unique perspective on how dramatic demographic and epidemiological changes have shaped modern societies.
The team has successfully integrated the internet-based Familinx dataset, as outlined in the GENPOP project's action plan. They have already produced preliminary findings on marriage homogamy and the generational continuity of lifespan.
Moreover, extensive efforts have been made to authenticate the reliability of using internet-based genealogical data in demographic studies. Currently, the team is preparing multiple scholarly articles for submission. The Principal Investigator's work associated with GENPOP has already yielded three publications in prestigious journals: Nature Human Behaviour, Population Development Review, and Labor Economics.
Throughout the 2021/2022 academic year, GENPOP hosted seven seminars featuring distinguished international scholars, providing the team with insights into the latest developments in the field. These seminars have been instrumental in guiding and refining the direction of the GENPOP project.
On March 23-24, 2022, a workshop focusing on the economics of gender and family was organized by GENPOP, featuring eight international speakers. This workshop also served as a platform to disseminate some of the project's findings.
Lastly, the Principal Investigator was honored with an invitation to deliver a keynote lecture at the European Society for Historical Demography in Madrid on March 4, 2022. This event further contributed to the project's visibility and impact in the field.
Moreover, extensive efforts have been made to authenticate the reliability of using internet-based genealogical data in demographic studies. Currently, the team is preparing multiple scholarly articles for submission. The Principal Investigator's work associated with GENPOP has already yielded three publications in prestigious journals: Nature Human Behaviour, Population Development Review, and Labor Economics.
Throughout the 2021/2022 academic year, GENPOP hosted seven seminars featuring distinguished international scholars, providing the team with insights into the latest developments in the field. These seminars have been instrumental in guiding and refining the direction of the GENPOP project.
On March 23-24, 2022, a workshop focusing on the economics of gender and family was organized by GENPOP, featuring eight international speakers. This workshop also served as a platform to disseminate some of the project's findings.
Lastly, the Principal Investigator was honored with an invitation to deliver a keynote lecture at the European Society for Historical Demography in Madrid on March 4, 2022. This event further contributed to the project's visibility and impact in the field.
Additional work has been dedicated to the acquisition of genealogy data from the organization “Italian Parish Records”, composed by genealogists who collected demographic information in Italy. The collaboration has resulted in a scientific agreement which allows the team to work on data linkage aspects of these data.