Understanding population change

A new £5m centre that will lead research into migration, fertility and ageing is being launched today (Tuesday 6 October 2009) by Scottish university researchers and the University of Southampton.

With funding of £5 million over five years, The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Centre for Population Change (CPC) will explore the implications for society of migration both within and beyond national borders.

The CPC is a joint initiative between the University of Southampton and a consortium of Scottish universities led by Professor Paul Boyle at the University of St Andrews.

It brings together a multidisciplinary team of over 30 academics and associates drawn from Anthropology, Demography, Economics, Geography, Gerontology, Sociology, Social Policy and Social Statistics.  It will collaborate closely with both the Office for National Statistics and the General Registrar Office in Scotland.

The Centre Director Professor Jane Falkingham said, “We are very excited about the prospect of establishing the first UK centre of excellence dedicated to the study of population change. We hope that the work of the centre will lead to a better understanding of the key drivers of population change and the implications for economic welfare and social support at the national, local, household and individual level.”

Speakers at today¿s launch include Guy Goodwin (Director for Population, Healthy and Regional Analysis, ONS), Duncan Macniven (Registrar General for Scotland), Dr Alan Gillespie (Chair of the Economic and Social Research Council), Professor James Vaupel (Director of Max Planck Demographic Research Institute), Professor Jane Falkingham (Centre Director) and Professor Paul Boyle (lead of the Centre for Population Change Scottish Consortium). 

ENDS

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews
Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Press Officer on 01334 467227 / 462529, mobile 07900 050 103, or email [email protected]

Ref:  Population Centre 061009
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