Population Institute

UPPI researchers participated in the 11th KOSTAT-UNFPA Summer Seminar on Population

Four researchers from the UP Population Institute were selected to participate in the 11th Summer Seminar on Population, organized by Korea Statistics (KOSTAT) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), held in Daejeon, South Korea.

Ms. Queenie Rose E. Chico attended the workshop on Fertility Analysis, mentored by Dr. Edith Gray from the Australian National University (ANU) from July 8 to 12, 2024. The following week, Ms. Klarriness P. Tanalgo, Mr. Mark Ryan B. Paguirigan, and Mr. Jeconiah K. Boongaling attended the Mortality Analysis workshop, with Dr. Vladimir Canudas-Romo, Head of the School of Demography of Australia National University as the lecturer and facilitator.

The seminar-workshop is held annually and attended by professionals from across the globe working in government, international organizations, and academia to learn the latest demographic research and methods.

We interviewed the researchers about their experiences and reflections from this workshop, and here’s what they shared:

What initially drew you to participate in the 11th Summer Seminar on Population? Was there a particular aspect of the seminar that you found especially intriguing?

MRBP: I was initially drawn to the Seminar as an extension of my interest and existing work on aging, as measures of mortality have implications for public health and policy. A key point of interest was the opportunity to explore advanced techniques, as colleagues mentioned that during the previous KOSTAT seminar, actual codes used to compute the measures from recently published papers were shared and explained. Having had the privilege of participating in similar workshops, I was eager to attend this one as it was a chance to apply Philippine data and compare results with other countries. Being able to discuss directly with one of the scholars who developed these methodologies was particularly enticing. We were guided firsthand and provided practical knowledge and insights.

Can you describe a specific project or idea that you’re excited to pursue after attending the workshop? How do you think the knowledge gained from the sessions will enhance your approach?

KPT: A project we’re eager to dive into involves using the MortalityLaws R package developed by Marius Pascarius. We plan to apply this package to fit the Heligman-Pollard model so we can understand the age pattern of mortality across the country – and if data permits, by region. The model has eight parameters but essentially gives an insight into the mortality curve as it captures: (1) the effect of child mortality at younger ages, (2) the effect of the increase in mortality in adulthood and middle age, and (3) the impact of ageing. We hope to draw valuable insights from these findings to help inform resource allocation and health intervention planning.

Before the workshop, I wasn’t aware of how the HP model could be applied to Philippine data, so gaining awareness of the R package was a significant breakthrough for me. The workshop as a whole not only encouraged the use and interpretation of mortality figures, but also highlighted the importance of having clean and accurate input data.

What were the most impactful lessons you learned during the Mortality Analysis workshop? How do you plan to integrate these lessons into your current research engagements?

JKB: The workshop provided valuable insights into key developments in mortality analysis. A major takeaway was that, while data availability and quality remain challenges in the Philippines, significant progress has been made. This progress creates a real opportunity to apply new methods to our data.

Additionally, the workshop reinforced that facing challenges and limitations is a natural part of the research process. Reflecting on various research highlighted during the workshop, I’m reminded that addressing these obstacles with creative solutions was also crucial for the advancement of the field of demography.

These insights are directly influencing how I approach both my current and future research engagements. Currently, I’m considering exploring cause-of-death decompositions of longevity measures using Philippine data for my thesis proposal. There is also potential for other further research in this area.

Participating in an international seminar often provides a unique perspective. How did interacting with professionals from diverse backgrounds and organizations shape your experience and understanding of the field?

QEC: KOSTAT was my first international in-person training in demography. Attending the seminar on my own encouraged me to engage with many participants. I met individuals from various cultural backgrounds, all of whom shared a passion for addressing population issues.

Every time Dr. Edith Gray asked us to discuss the situation in our home countries, we shared various strategies for managing fertility, as we were experiencing different fertility scenarios. The workshop became a venue for exchanging and comparing both successful (and unsuccessful!) solutions, as well as discussing evolving and persistent values related to marriage and family formation. We also bonded over the challenge of data access and related issues, which made us realize that data gathering for demographic analysis is a universal concern and that we will always be seeking innovative solutions to overcome it.

This experience broadened my perspective and rekindled my interest in the field. Meeting others is rewarding in itself, but meeting individuals who understand and share your professional interests is truly transformative.

For those considering attending next year’s seminar, what advice would you give them to make the most out of the experience?

MRBP: It’s important that you familiarize yourself with key demographic concepts and methods. Having the basics would be very handy especially when new methods are being introduced to you. This will allow you to engage more deeply with the trainers and co-trainees.

KPT: Come prepared. Check the Secretariat’s very detailed notes on workshop prerequisites, including whether your laptop meets the software requirements and if you have the necessary programming skills, along with travel details like navigation, weather, and adapters. Bring a power strip so you only have to bring one adapter.

QEC: Actively participate in discussions and don't be shy about asking questions. Make sure to attend all the sessions, including any optional social events.

JKB: Bring relevant data and apply the methods being discussed. This hands-on approach will help you better understand the techniques by revealing their assumptions and limitations in practice. Plus, if you're fortunate, your results might even become the basis for a new research article!

The researchers are grateful for the funding assistance from various institutions. Ms. Tanalgo and Mr. Paguirigan received support from the REPS Development Fund (RDF) under the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, while Mr. Boongaling obtained support from the Administrative Development Fund (ADF) of the Human Resource Development Committee. Ms. Chico also thanks the UP Population Institute for the support.