Research
The Queensland Centre for Population Research works collaboratively with local and global experts based in demographic and population research centres around the world.
Our academic staff work on projects across five research themes. Contact our theme leaders within each area to find out more.
Our research themes
Demographic analysis and forecasting
We analyse population size and household numbers, characteristics and distribution. We also develop innovative models to forecast population and household characteristics across multiple geographies and communicate any uncertainty in the forecasts.
Our analysis includes:
- population size, characteristics and distribution
- household and dwelling numbers, types and distribution
- census and proprietary large datasets.
We develop models to forecast:
- population characteristics across multiple geographies
- households and dwellings by size and type across multiple geographies.
We also develop:
- strategies to effectively communicate forecast uncertainty
- methods to estimate temporary populations
- cohort measures of internal migration.
Our projects
Our researchers
Population Ageing and Composition
Populations around the world, including in Australia, are ageing. Our researchers have expertise in studying the trends, patterns and impacts of population ageing. Populations not only change their composition in regards to their age structure but also in other characteristics, for example in terms of cultural and linguistic diversity.
Research capacity:
- Analysing changes in mortality and life expectancy across space and time
- Analysing spatial and temporal trends in health expectancies.
- Analysing the social and economic impacts of population ageing (e.g. labour force participation)
- Developing population projection models with additional population characteristics, (e.g. Indigenous Status)
Our researchers
- Jim Cooper
- Dr Pia Wohland (Theme leader)
Internal and international migration
We analyse human spatial mobility at a variety of temporal and spatial scales. We also develop innovative methods for migration analysis.
We draw on a wide range of analytical tools to explore how intensity, spatial patterns and migration drivers vary across space and time. This includes local and residential moves, international migration, and temporary-to-permanent migration.
Our research involves:
- analysing trends, patterns and drivers of internal migration in Australia
- comparing cross-national, internal migration among UN member states
- analysing temporary population mobility in Australia and internationally
- establishing long-term internal migration trends and explaining the demographic mechanisms underpinning them
- exploring the nexus between environmental change, mobility and outcomes
- analysing international migration's role in shaping urban space
- investigating global cities' roles as multicultural spaces and ‘stepping stones’ for new migrants.
Our projects
Our researchers
Urban and regional spaces and flows
We concentrate on analysing population flows, human behaviours and interactions, urban growth and land use in space and over time. We also focus on understanding population impact on the environment and the impact of environmental change on populations and their variation across urban and regional settings.
Our research involves:
- modelling urban growth and land use change through Cellular Automata (CA) and Agent-based Models (ABM)
- analysing urban space usage, intensity, spatial structure and temporal change dynamics
- analysing population flows, human behaviours and interactions in space and over time
- analysing population impact on the environment and the impact of environmental change on populations
- analysing how households respond to shocks and stressors, and sustain their livelihoods
- spatial approaches including spatial data mining and big data analytics to understand urban spaces, flows and interactions
- analysing spatial accessibility and concentrations of social disadvantage
- visualising urban spaces and flows in 3D.
Our projects
These projects are funded by the Australian Research Council:
- New modelling approaches for sustainable costal city development
- Optimising community-based climate change adaptation in the Pacific islands
- Reclaiming lost ground: transitions of mobility and parking
- Barriers and facilitators of neighbourhood networks and cohesion
Our researchers
- Dr Elin Charles-Edwards (Theme leader)
- Professor Jonathan Corcoran
- Associate Professor Yan Liu
- Professor Karen McNamara
- Associate Professor Thomas Sigler
- Dr Iaphne Childs
- Dr Anthony Kimpton
- Dr Scott Lieske
- Dr Svitlana Pyrohova
Economic change and globalisation
We analyse the social, cultural and economic networks that connect cities around the world. We examine the role that global cities play as multicultural spaces and ‘stepping stones’ for new migrants and develop new ways to understand inter-urban flows.
Our research involves:
- analysing economic activity distribution within cities over time
- analysing capital and resource flows between cities on a global scale
- focusing on global financial flows and their impacts on property markets
- developing new ways of understanding inter-urban flows using social network analysis
- analysing the ways resources, manufacturing and services shape economic outcomes in cities