Announcements

Swanson, D.A., and T. Bryan. 2024 “ Using Cluster Analysis to Identify Communities of Interest for Purposes of Legislative Redistricting: A Case study of Parishes in Louisiana. Papers in Applied Geography  (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23754931.2024.2346326)

The use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology has been found to limit  the kinds of communities that can in principle achieve political representation through redistricting because the process excludes “communities of interest” (COIs) that cannot be mapped. This paper shows how these limits can be overcome using empirically-based variables to define a COI in conjunction with an empirically-based classification system, cluster analysis. Our findings are not only relevant because COIs are important in redistricting, but it demonstrates that the limits identified in regard to the use of GIS-based technology in identifying COIs can be surmounted.

ScholarGPS celebrates Highly Ranked Scholars™ for their exceptional performance in various Fields, Disciplines, and Specialties. SDA Member David A. Swanson's prolific publication record, high impact of his work, and outstanding quality of his scholarly contributions have placed him in the top 0.05% of all scholars worldwide -- ranked #56 in Demography over the totality of his career. Congrats!

View Dr. Swanson's Profile

Dr. David Warner, Co-editor of Population Research and Policy Review, will discuss the journal at the 2024 Population Association of America conference. The "Meet the Editors" session will feature editors of several journals discussing publishing demographic research.

"The pandemic dramatically interrupted K-12 education for all students across the state and led to a range of academic, social, physical, and mental and behavioral health impacts. The Washington State Academy of Sciences (the WSAS) and the William D. Ruckelshaus Center (the Center) are engaging in a collaborative project to help researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and others understand the impacts of Covid-19 on Washington’s children and apply lessons learned to future emergencies. Together through this project, WSAS and the Center aim to understand the impacts of the pandemic on children, which can then inform the policies and practices needed to improve the long-term social, emotional, and educational outcomes of students, especially those disproportionately impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington State.  

In particular, the WSAS’s role is to review and synthesize the key research findings describing the evolving impacts of the pandemic on children in WA state. We will also identify where more research is needed to inform new policies, strategies, and programs. Tristan Fehr (cc’ed), an Associate Program Officer at WSAS, will be the staff lead for this process.  

Our next step in this process is to create an Advisory Committee of experts to oversee WSAS’s compilation of research on this topic, identify gaps in the research, and potentially recommend where new research is needed." On behalf of the WSAS, SDA Member David A. Swanson was invited to join this Committee. 

(text copied from email correspondence)

SDA Member David A. Swanson published a second article this week: 

"The Decline of the Non-Hispanic White Population in the United States of America" with Rich Verdugo in Social Science Quarterly is now available online: https://doi.org/10.1111/ssqu.13368

The question of a declining non-Hispanic white (NHW) population has sparked debate in the United States. In examining this question, three bodies of research have emerged. One group reports that the decline is real, a second argues that it is an illusion, and the third provides evidence that the decline is concentrated within socio-economic segments of the NHW population. We use the third groups’ insight as the starting point for our research objective. Methods: In conjunction with data from Census Bureau sources, we use a series of Regression Models in this inquiry. Results: Our results show that the decline of the NHW population is real and related to factors embedded in the institutional anomie theory (IAT) framework.

SDA Member David A. Swanson recently published:

"Models for Estimating Intrinsic r and the Mean Age of a Population at Stability:  Evaluations at the national and sub-national level.” Canadian Studies in Population, 51, 2. (https://doi.org/10.1007/s42650-024-00080-6).

Using Canada’s provinces and territories in conjunction with the “Cohort Change Ratio” approach to generating a stable population, Swanson tested the accuracy of two regression models constructed from national-level data designed to estimate two factors of a population at stability from initial conditions at the sub-national levels (1) its constant rate of change and (2) mean population age and found that these models provide reasonably accurate estimates. He goes on to point out that his findings suggest there are connections between initial conditions and stability that have been overlooked, which may be due to the fact that widespread knowledge and acceptance of the ergodic nature of the “age structure factor” may have served to mask the possibility that ergodicity does not always apply to other factors.

Dr. David Swanson, recently published a research brief, “A Statistical Margin of Error from a Geometric Perspective” in Communications in Applied Geometry (Vol 13, no. 2, pp. 185-186). The paper shows that a statistical margin of error for the mean of variable x taken from a random sample of size n from a population of interest of very large, possibly infinite, size can be presented as an extension of the Pythagorean distance between two vectors, where one vector, Vm, represents the mean of the random sample, and the other, V1, is found by summing the n values of x and letting these n summed values form the elements of V1.

The Department of Sociology and Communication at Texas A&M University-San Antonio (A&M-SA) seeks applications for a full-time tenure-track position in Sociology at the rank of Assistant Professor to begin in Fall 2024. Primary teaching responsibility will consist of 6 undergraduate courses per academic year (3/3 load), with one course release during the first year and an additional course release during the tenure-track period and the possibility for summer teaching. In addition to teaching responsibilities, the hire will participate in department and university committees and maintain an active research agenda. Specialization in demography is preferred.

Candidates for this position should have an active research agenda leading to high-quality publications. We will consider applicants with a wide range of research interests in demography and population studies. We are particularly interested in scholars focused on (a) health, (b) environmental justice, or (c) migration. Scholars with a focus on Latinx populations, community-based research, and/or critical perspectives in demography will be strongly considered. Additionally, those with GIS experience should apply. The successful candidate's teaching responsibilities may include sociology capstone, statistics, and demography, and should be interested in teaching future graduate-level courses in their areas of specialization. A highly qualified candidate will demonstrate a strong critical interdisciplinary focus and knowledge, and/or experience of student-centered learning, community engagement, and working with majority Latinx student populations. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate an active commitment to the inclusion of underserved, underrepresented, and/or marginalized populations in their research, teaching, mentoring, and/or service.

Responsibilities:

• Teach the equivalent of 18 course credits per academic year (3/3 teaching load) in sociology capstone, statistics, demography, and/or specialty areas.

• Develop a research program at A&M-SA that results in tangible products (articles, books, grants, etc.).

• As part of an involved Sociology Program team, provide service at the program, department, college, university, community, and professional levels.

Education and Experience:

• A Ph.D. in sociology or a closely related discipline is required, as well as outstanding research potential, demonstrated excellence in teaching, and professional service. ABDs will be considered, but must have completed the Ph.D. by the time of appointment.

• Prior teaching experience in a university setting is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to complete tasks and work cooperatively with others.

• Strong self-discipline and ability to work independently.

• Ability to communicate effectively with faculty, staff, and students.

• Ability to interact with students from all backgrounds.

Application Process:

Applicants must complete the application/faculty form as well as upload a letter of interest and their curriculum vitae on our employment system: https://tamus.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/TAMUSA_External

Please make sure to provide the following documents:

• Application

• A Curriculum vitae (CV)

• A cover letter

Overview of research experiences and current research agenda (2 pages or less)

Overview of teaching experiences and teaching philosophy (2 pages or less)

Contact information for three references that will provide letters of recommendation, if requested.

Please ensure that all required documents are uploaded prior to submitting an application. Once the application process is submitted, no changes or revisions may be made.

The position is open until filled, but review of applications will begin within one month of posting.

If selected for the position, prior to issuing a letter of appointment, the official transcripts must be received directly from each degree-granting institution. We cannot accept transcripts issued directly to the candidate. If transcripts are from an international institution, it is the responsibility of the prospective candidate to have the transcript translated, evaluated, and notarized.

Verified Electronic Copies of your Official transcript should be sent to:

alissa.meyer@tamusa.edu

If necessary, hard copies of official transcripts should be sent directly from the issuing institution to the address listed below:

Assistant Professor of Sociology

c/o Alissa Meyer (e-mail: Alissa.meyer@tamusa.edu)

Office of the Provost

Texas A&M University-San Antonio

One University Way

San Antonio, Texas 78224

Socio-Demographic Perspectives on the COVID-19 Pandemic edited by David A. Swanson (University of California Riverside) and Richard R. Verdugo (Independent Scholar) is now available to order.

Click HERE for an order form.

Click HERE (PDF) or HERE (website) for more information about the book.

Abstracts due by Oct 1, 2023
Full papers due by December 15, 2023

Disability and Aging
Call for Papers for the Journal of Elder Policy, 2024

Editor-in-Chief: Eva Kahana PhD
Distinguished University Professor, Case Western Reserve University

As the global population grows older, attention is often placed on the potential for rising rates of disability. While it is important to call attention to this future issue, it is also vital to focus on the obstacles faced right now by older adults with disabilities—those aging with disability and those aging into disability.

While disability can lead to challenges for many older adults, it should not be assumed that those aging with or into disability cannot live meaningful and proactive lives. The aim of this issue of the Journal of Elder Policy is to explore the complex relationships between aging, disability, and policy. We welcome both empirical and conceptual papers from diverse disciplines and have a preference for pieces that employ policy approaches. 

Topics may include but are not limited to:

• Assistive technology
• Built environment
• Attitudinal environment
• Intergenerational relationships
• Medical care for disabilities
• Cultural influences
• Disability and the labor market
• Proactive responses to living with disability
• Experiences of aging with disability
• Experiences of becoming disabled

Authors should send a 500 word abstract related to their paper by October 1 to Managing Editor, Kaitlyn Langendoerfer, PhD (kxb289@case.edu)

All articles will be peer reviewed.

More information about the aims and scope of the journal can be found here: www.journalofelderpolicy.org/about.html