Institute of Experimental Demography

About IED

Advancing demographic science through innovation and collaboration

Our Mission and Vision

The Institute of Experimental Demography (IED) was founded in 2026 with a bold vision: to transform how we understand and respond to global population dynamics through experimental methodologies and interdisciplinary collaboration.

We combine cutting-edge data science, behavioral experiments, and computational modeling to explore fundamental questions about fertility, mortality, migration, and aging in the 21st century.

Our work bridges the gap between academic research and practical policy applications, providing evidence-based insights to governments, NGOs, and international organizations navigating demographic transitions.

12+

Research Projects

Researchers

Countries

Research Areas

Exploring the frontiers of demographic science through multiple lenses

Fertility Dynamics

Investigating the social, economic, and psychological factors influencing reproductive decision-making in the post-pandemic era using longitudinal experiments and agent-based modeling.

Migration Patterns

Analyzing forced and voluntary migration flows with innovative spatial modeling techniques and experimental surveys to predict future migration trends under climate change scenarios.

Aging & Longevity

Studying the determinants of healthy aging and longevity through biodemographic experiments and comparative analysis of centenarian populations across different socioeconomic contexts.

Genetic Demography

Integrating genomic data with demographic research to understand how genetic factors interact with environmental influences to shape population structures and health outcomes.

Digital Demography

Leveraging digital trace data from social media, mobile devices, and online platforms to develop real-time indicators of demographic behaviors and attitudes.

Forecasting Methods

Developing next-generation demographic forecasting tools that incorporate uncertainty quantification, machine learning algorithms, and scenario-based projections for policy planning.

Recent Publications

Contributing to the global knowledge base in demographic science

Fertility

The Pandemic Fertility Divide: Experimental Evidence from 18 Countries

March 2026 | Demography

This multinational study examines how COVID-19 influenced fertility intentions through a controlled experiment comparing pre- and post-pandemic reproductive decision-making frameworks.

Migration

Climate Migration Decision Pathways: An Experimental Game Approach

February 2026 | Population and Environment

Using serious gaming methodologies, this research uncovers the cognitive processes behind migration decisions in climate-vulnerable regions, revealing previously undocumented heuristic patterns.

Methods

Agent-Based Modeling of Demographic Transitions: Validation Through Experimental Data

January 2026 | Journal of Artificial Societies and Social Simulation

Presents a novel framework for validating agent-based demographic models using experimental data, significantly improving the predictive accuracy of simulation-based forecasting.

Aging

Social Connectivity and Longevity: Experimental Interventions in Senior Communities

December 2025 | The Journals of Gerontology

A randomized controlled trial demonstrating how structured social connectivity interventions can significantly improve health outcomes and extend disability-free life expectancy among older adults.

Fertility

Economic Uncertainty and Fertility Timing: A Cross-National Experimental Study

November 2025 | Population Studies

Examines how different framings of economic uncertainty influence reproductive timing decisions across varied welfare regimes using an innovative vignette experiment methodology.

Methods

Deep Learning Approaches to Demographic Data Imputation: A Comparative Analysis

October 2025 | Demographic Research

Compares traditional and machine learning approaches to handling missing demographic data, demonstrating superior performance of transformer-based architectures in preserving population structure.

Our Research Team

Bringing together diverse expertise to address complex demographic questions

Dr. Elena Rodriguez

Director

Experimental Demography, Fertility Research

Formerly at UN Population Division, Dr. Rodriguez leads IED's strategic vision and experimental fertility research program.

Dr. Kenji Tanaka

Senior Research Fellow

Aging Studies, Biodemography

Leading IED's aging research with expertise in longitudinal studies and biological markers of aging across populations.

Dr. Sarah Chen

Head of Migration Research

Forced Migration, Climate Mobility

Specializes in experimental approaches to understanding migration decision-making in climate-affected regions.

Dr. Marcus Johnson

Computational Demography Lead

Agent-Based Modeling, Machine Learning

Develops innovative computational methods for simulating population dynamics and forecasting demographic trends.

Upcoming Events & Conferences

Join us in shaping the future of demographic research

May 15-17, 2026

International Conference on Experimental Demography

IED's flagship event bringing together 300+ researchers from 40 countries to present cutting-edge experimental approaches in demography. Keynote by Nobel laureate Dr. Amartya Sen.

July 8-10, 2026

Summer School: Advanced Methods in Demographic Experiments

A comprehensive training program for early-career researchers on designing and implementing demographic experiments, including field, lab, and survey experiments.

Apply

September 22-24, 2026

Workshop: AI and the Future of Demographic Forecasting

Exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming demographic forecasting methodologies, with hands-on sessions using IED's proprietary tools.

Learn More

November 5-7, 2026

Policy Dialogue: Demographic Challenges for Sustainable Development

Bridging research and policy, this event brings together demographers, policymakers, and NGO representatives to discuss evidence-based solutions to demographic challenges.

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IED2026