Following last year’s Demography Daze at Carolina Population Center (CPC), DUPRI hosted the 11th Demography Daze on September 26, 2025. An event originally developed by emeritus director Angie O’Rand and CPC emeritus director Phil Morgan, Demography Daze brings together population scientists from CPC and DUPRI to share their research, foster collaborations and discuss ongoing work in a collegial atmosphere. The event is hosted by DUPRI or CPC on alternating years.
CPC and DUPRI scholars have worked on some of the most innovative projects in the population sciences including the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Study of Development, the National Long Term Care Study, the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), and the Add Health Parent Study, and many of the presentations involve these or similar data.
This year the event was hosted by DUPRI. The program featured engaging presentations by junior and senior scholars at the two Centers, including a flash talk session to display the innovative work of DUPRI and CPC scholars and whet everyone’s appetite.
Turnout at Demography Daze was robust and represented the enduring bond between DUPRI and CPC. The event saw over 60 attendees, with 25 from UNC. Additionally, there were 25 students and postdoctoral scholars in attendance across both institutions, highlighting the commitment to training the next generation of population scholars.
Events like Demography Daze are vital for fostering collaborative and innovative research by bringing together students, postdocs, and faculty to present their work, seek feedback, solidify old and develop new relationships. “It was great to see so many population scientists sharing their research. DUPRI's and CPC's scholars are engaged in interesting, innovative, and impactful work, and the audience was so engaged with each of the presentations. There were a lot of lively discussions, both in the formal Q&A after the presentations and during the breaks and reception. Seeing potential new ideas and collaborations form is part of the core mission of a pop center, and Demography Daze perfectly encapsulates that mission.” said Karen Guzzo, Director of CPC.
"Demography Daze is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the phenomenal, cutting-edge demographic research taking place at Duke, UNC, and other leading research institutions across North Carolina,” added Hedy Lee, DUPRI.
“I am glad that we continued this event after the pandemic ended. It’s a great opportunity for friends and colleagues across
the two centers to get together in a relaxed setting to talk about their new and ongoing work,” said Scott Lynch, Director of DUPRI.
“Most of this year’s presenters were first-time Demography Daze participants, and many were early-career scholars — which made the event extra exciting and full of promise for future collaborations!” commented M. Giovanna Merli, Associate Director of DUPRI
We all look forward to many more Demography Daze events next year and beyond!
