International Autumn School devoted to “Demographic methods in public health research”

From September 24 to October 5, 2018, two of our students, Sally Sonia Simmons and Vitalie Stirba, received invitations to attend the International Autumn School devoted to “Demographic methods in public health research”.
It was held in Pushkin, suburb of St. Petersburg, Russia. Students share their experience.

The school which was held for two weeks had eight instructors for the designated five topics. These were demographic data sources, decomposition methods, epidemiology, application of micro-simulation models and spatial data analytical methods. It was an executive-level school for future demographers’ dedicated to providing solutions and best practices in demography.
As young demographers, Sally Sonia Simmons and Vitalie Stirba, were particularly interested in sessions on demographic data sources, decomposition methods and application of micro-simulation models since they directly related to their theses. In addition to the sessions, the chance to network with other colleagues in similar fields but from other universities was an extremely valuable experience for them.
These extracurricular activities provided them with the useful information needed for their academic prospects. Even though they were admitted to the school on a free bases, they had access to all the school material distributed. Sally Sonia Simmons and Vitalie Stirba were very pleased with the attendance of school and felt it was well worth the invitation.