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Research area

Social statistics and demography

Many people in train station with stairs.

We research population change to inform social policy. Our demographers specialise in family and fertility, migration and mobility, and health and mortality. Our statisticians specialise in statistical methodology, including small-area estimation, online survey methodology and population projections.

Research highlights

A young girl with braided hair claps and smiles amidst a group of villagers outdoors, capturing the vibrant spirit of Sierra Leone.

Improving pregnancy and maternal health for young adolescents

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
The lives of millions of women and girls worldwide are being improved thanks to Southampton research on young adolescent pregnancy and maternal health.

How do we feel about where we live? Artists and academics find ways to use emotional data

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Working out how nations can better take everybody into account

AI, big data and analytics
Future societies and communities
University statistical researchers, led by Professor Paul Smith, have helped nations better estimate their populations. This work to improve censuses has had a big economic and political impact.
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Giving displaced women and girls a voice

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
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Improving maternal and neonatal health in India

Future societies and communities
Health and wellbeing
AI, big data and analytics
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Research institutes, centres and groups

Global Health (Demography)

The Global Health research group in Social Statistics and Demography is focused on exploring health issues and inequalities around the globe, especially in low- and middle-income countries.

Population Health Sciences

We research prevention of disease, reduction of health inequalities and optimisation of health and wellbeing for whole populations across the lifecourse, in the UK and internationally.

Methodological Innovation: Survey Methods and Official Statistics

Experts in the design and use of surveys, with particular relationships with official statistics, the use of administrative data sources, longitudinal surveys and modelling with survey data.

Family and Social Demography

Our department is recognised for its use of quantitative and qualitative methods to study social processes and family change.

Demographic and Migration Modelling

The Demographic and Migration Modelling research group develop innovative methods for estimating and forecasting demographic change.

Just Statistics Critical Quantitative Data Research Group

We're a collective of critical data researchers challenging the misuse of statistics in global, social and environmental issues.

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