About Us

A Legacy of Excellence in Population Science

Founded in 1962, the Center for Demography and Ecology (CDE) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison stands as a premier multi-disciplinary cooperative for demographic research and graduate training. For over six decades, CDE has maintained its position as a global leader in the field, fueled by high scholarly productivity and a rigorous academic environment. Our work is made possible through the generous support of university, nonprofit, and federal partners, including two prestigious grants from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: our primary Center grant (P2C HD047873) and our dedicated T32 training grant (T32 HD007014).

An Interdisciplinary Research Hub

CDE serves as a crossroads for innovation, housing over 80 faculty affiliates from diverse departments including Sociology, Public Affairs, Economics, and Population Health Sciences. This rich interdisciplinary landscape encourages experts to step outside their traditional silos. By fostering these unique professional ties, we empower our affiliates to collaborate on the most pressing social, economic, and public health challenges facing the world today.

Driving High-Impact Discovery

Our researchers utilize advanced demographic and population science perspectives to secure significant support for their work. Over the past five years alone, CDE affiliates have secured nearly 19 million dollars in research funding from federal, state, and private foundation sources. This robust financial backing ensures that our team can continue to tackle complex societal issues with the depth and precision that modern population science requires.

Training the Next Generation

Education is at the heart of our mission. CDE currently supports more than 45 doctoral students from various departments across the UW–Madison campus. Our comprehensive training program integrates specialized coursework with hands-on faculty mentorship. Students are fully immersed in the professional community through the weekly Demography Training Seminar, ensuring they graduate with the expertise and networks necessary to lead in their field.

Specialized Infrastructure and Support

To ensure our research meets the highest standards, CDE is organized around three essential cores: Administrative, Developmental, and Scientific and Technical. Our affiliates benefit from tailored resources provided by Social Sciences Research Services, which assists with grant preparation, budgeting, and contract negotiation. Additionally, our researchers enjoy world-class computing and statistical support through the Social Science Computing Cooperative and a close, collaborative partnership with the Center for Demography of Health and Aging.

Leading the Future of Demography

Under the guidance of our dedicated leadership and staff, CDE remains poised to extend population science into new and exciting directions. We invite you to explore our site to learn more about the groundbreaking research and transformative training happening every day at the Center.