Maryland Population Research Center

The Maryland Population Research Center (formerly the Center on Population, Gender and Social Inequality), was initially created in 1988 as a small, high quality “niche” center. For its first decade, the Center’s membership consisted solely of social demographers from the University of Maryland’s Department of Sociology. The Center greatly influenced the agenda for research on gender inequality and population processes and made significant contributions to the subspecialty of family and social demography.

The Maryland Population Research Center (MPRC) draws together leading scholars from diverse disciplines to support, produce, and promote population-related research of the highest scientific merit. The Center’s research focuses on four key areas: Gender, Family, and Social Change; Health in Social Context; Social and Economic Inequality; and People and Place.

Pathways into Program

MPRC does not offer a degree granting program however, students can earn a certificate in Population Studies through affiliation and research with the Center.

Students can be affiliated with MPRC in one of two ways :

  1. As a Student Research Affiliate
  2. As a Sponsoring Student Research Affiliate.

All Student Research Affiliates must meet the following criteria:

  • Must be an actively enrolled graduate student engaged in research relation to population studies and demography.
  • Must be working with a current MPRC Faculty Associate who will write a letter recommending the student for affiliation.

Student affiliation runs from September 1 to August 31 of each year. Students are required to demonstrate involvement by attending seminars and workshops, participating in working groups, and attending special events. An existing affiliation will continue the following year as long as the student meets the requirements for affiliation.

For a list of affiliated departments and interdisciplinary ranges that conduct research on the topics of population studies and demography visit the Affiliated Departments and Research Units page.

For more information on how to become an affiliate visit the Student Research Affiliates page.