Introduction to Demographic Methods
Date:
05/04/2027 - 06/04/2027
Organised by:
NCRM and Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton
Presenter:
Dr Jason Hilton is an Associate Professor in Social Statistics and Data Science in the Department of Social Statistics and Demography, University of Southampton. His research focusses on estimating and forecasting the components of demographic change. He has published articles in a range of demographic and statistical journals and has worked with organisations such as the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the Greater London Authority and the European Asylum Support Office (now the European Union Agency for Asylum) on population forecasting and estimation projects and problems. He is currently a member of the Office for National Statistics (ONS) National Population Projections Migration Expert Advisory Panel, and an Associate editor for the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society (Series A).
Level:
Entry (no or almost no prior knowledge)
Contact:
Jacqui Thorp
Training and Capacity Building Coordinator, National Centre for Research Methods, University of Southampton
Email: jmh6@soton.ac.uk or info@ncrm.ac.uk
Location:
View in Google Maps (SO17 1BJ)
Venue:
Room 2015, Building 39,
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
Hants
The size, structure and dynamics of the population in which we live provide some of the most fundamental facts about our society. This course aims to give participants a practical introduction to the techniques of demography, including methods for dealing with each of the components of population change (mortality, fertility, and migration). The course will include hands-on computer workshops using the R programming language.
This course is intended as an introduction for and a companion to a related NCRM course Population Estimation and Forecasting, which will run from 7-9 April 2027. Participants may choose to attend one or both courses as their prior experience and time allows.
The course covers:
Introduction to demographic measurement
Sources of demographic data
The life table; stable population theory
Approaches for dealing with unreliable data
The analysis of fertility
Migration estimation
By the end of the course participants will:
- Understand the basics of demographic measurement and the key sources of demographic data
- Understand and employ lifetables and the Kaplan-Meier estimator
- Understand and employ methods for the analysis of migration
- Be able to apply these approaches to a range of demographic data across different contexts and at different scales
Pre-requisites
This practical course will include workshops that use the R programming language to demonstrate the techniques introduced in the course. Basic knowledge of R would be beneficial, but is not essential. You will be able to follow the course just by attending the lecture sessions and carefully reading and digesting the workshop material, although of course, you will get more out of the course by completing the workshop exercises in R. Pre-course material will also provide links to free online introductory R courses to aid preparation.
Target Audience
- Analysts working at or with National Statistical Offices, International Non-Governmental Organisations, and Government Departments with an interest in population estimation and projection. Examples include the ONS, the DHCLG; local and devolved government bodies; UN agencies.
- PhD students working on population-related topics including demography, population health, human geography, etc.
- Employees of private sector organisations who have an interest in population change:
Consumer-focussed industries;
Retailers
Market research agencies
Utility companies
Construction companies
THIS COURSE IS BEING DELIVERED IN-PERSON AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON (BUILDING 39, ROOM 2015) AND WILL RUN FROM 10:00 to 17:00 ON 5 AND 6 APRIL. IT EQUATES TO TWO TEACHING DAYS FOR PAYMENT PURPOSES.
Cost:
The fee per teaching day is:
• £80 per day for students registered at any University.
• £195 per day for staff at academic institutions, recognised research institutions, Research Council-funded researchers, public sector staff and staff at registered charity organisations.
• £245 per day for all other participants
All fees include course materials (digital format) and refreshments. Fees do not include lunch, travel or accommodation costs.
In the event of cancellation by the delegate a full refund of the course fee is available up to two weeks prior to the course. NO refunds are available after this date.
If it is no longer possible to run a course due to circumstances beyond its control, NCRM reserves the right to cancel the course at its sole discretion at any time prior to the event. In this event every effort will be made to reschedule the course. If this is not possible or the new date is inconvenient a full refund of the course fee will be given. NCRM shall not be liable for any costs, losses or expenses that may be incurred as a result of its cancellation of a course, including but not limited to any travel or accommodation costs.
The University of Southampton’s Online Store T&Cs also continue to apply.
Website and registration:
Region:
South East
Keywords:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Demographic Methods, Life table analysis, Fertility Analysis
Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis