Queering Demography: A Critical Overview of Demographic Studies and Methods

Course description

This course aims to explore demographic techniques and their impact from a queer perspective. Throughout the course, we will introduce concepts and definitions related to queer studies, delving into the lived experiences of the LGBTQ+ population and how these experiences can enrich researchers in their studies. We will critically examine the challenges posed by the sex binary and heteronormative assumptions prevalent in traditional demographic theories and methods. Additionally, we will explore widely used measurements in representative surveys and censuses that go beyond these limitations. Towards the end of the course, a workshop will be conducted to provide participants with hands-on experience in applying these critiques to their own research and projects.

Content

Queer theory approach to Demography.
Concepts and definitions related to gender, sexual identity and orientation.
Measurement, queer data and available representative surveys and censuses.
State of the art: Health and well-being, education, labor market, family formation.
Workshop: how to apply on your own project (or future projects).

Learning Highlights

Students will gain a critical mindset of traditional demographic methods from a queer perspective. This includes a deeper look at LGBTQ+ lived experiences and how this can inform data and research, an overview of current studies and challenges, as well as valuable guidance to develop research and projects.