Population and Life Course Studies
Participating Faculties: Social Science (host), Science, and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry
Project Leaders: Daniele Belanger and Lorraine Davies
Total Project Funding: $133,785
Funding Period: 3 years
Abstract:
Population and Life Course Studies draws on existing
strengths in population health (Department of Epidemiology, statistics
(Statistics and Actuarial Science), environment, development and health
(Geography) and population and life course studies (Sociology) to
create vibrant interdisciplinary synergisms that will enhance research
as well as faculty and graduate training at UWO. Specifically, aspects
of three traditionally separate areas of study will be integrated:
population processes (aging, immigration, reproduction, spatial changes
in population); social trends (in family formation as reflected in
rates of marriage, cohabitation, divorce, single-parent families,
alternative family forms, shifts in family size, step-relations;
changing labour force participation rates, caring patterns over the
life course and work/life balance patterns); and health over the life
course (population health; morbidity; longevity; mortality;
psychological well-being). The objective of promoting activity beyond
typical disciplinary boundaries will be met by concentrating on the
three major substantive areas of population processes, social trends,
and health in relation to research, education, and policy. A key focus
of research and education is providing advance training opportunities
for students and faculty members in current approaches to quantitative
and qualitative research methods.