EAPS European Association for Population Studies

Ethnic populations/minority populations can be defined by means of various attributes, such as country of birth (own and/or parents'), citizenship, self declared ethnicity/minority group, language etc. Combinations of such attributes are often necessary when defining ethnic/minority population. Even with multiple attributes, classifications are fuzzy and membership is not always well-defined. The aim of the seminar is to present state-of-the-art research on methods for analysing and projecting ethnic/minority populations, with a focus on measurement and identification issues of these populations.

Topics include:

• analyses based on self-declared multiple race/ethnic identity
• analyses of interethnic marriage behaviour
• labour market behaviour of migrant populations
• fuzzy set theory/grade of membership models
• methods for projecting ethnic/minority populations, including probabilistic models.

The seminar is organized as part of the European Science Foundation Network “Quantitative Methods in the Social Sciences” (QMSS), by the group on Immigration and population dynamics. QMSS-seminars provide an opportunity for specialists from different disciplines and different countries to introduce and debate cutting-edge methods and to share methodological developments. They also provide an opportunity for junior researchers to meet and network with international experts. Selection of participants will take into account the coverage of participating countries and the need to encourage new researchers. QMSS-seminars intend to stimulate lasting collaborations across Europe.

Two key note lectures are planned, one about measurement and identification of ethnic groups, and another one about projection methods for ethnic populations:

• “Measure for Measure: Sizing up Ethnicity” by Prof. Amelie Constant (executive director of DIW DC, Washington DC; deputy program director of Migration, IZA, Bonn; and visiting professor, George Washington University, the Elliott School of International Affairs);
• “Ethnic population projections: A review of models and findings” by Prof. Philip Rees (School of Geography, University of Leeds).

The seminar starts on 3 June in the afternoon, and finishes on 5 June with a common lunch. The aim is a seminar with around 20 participants. There is no registration fee, and accommodation and meal costs during the seminar will be covered. Participants need to pay for their own travel, but the organizers will contribute to the travel costs of up to 10 participants.

Applications for attendance are to be sent to nico.keilman@econ.uio.no not later than 20 March. Seminar applicants must submit half a page outlining their experience and why they wish to attend, together with their application. In case the intention is to present a paper, include its title and abstract in the application. Applicants must state if they have previously attended a QMSS summer school or a QMSS seminar as the seminars are intended to provide a vehicle for continuing collaboration and networking. Applicants will receive a reaction from the organizers by 1 April 2009. Full papers have to be submitted by 15 May 2009. Abstracts and papers will be made available on a special website for this seminar.

Thorbjørnrud hotel is located at the borders of the beautiful Randsfjord, at 55 km. of Oslo airport Gardermoen. See http://www.thorbjornrudhotell.no/visjon.htm.

Original papers presented at the seminar will be considered for a special issue of the electronic journal “Demographic Research”, to be edited by the organizers.