Announcements

It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of my dear friend, Dr. Mark Fossett, Professor of Sociology at Texas A&M University, founding Director of the Texas Federal Statistical Research Data Center (RDC) and former President of the Southern Demographic Association.

I had the opportunity to work with Mark at the Texas Federal Statistical Research Data Center for over 7 years. Every day, I saw his kindness. Kindness is a word I’ve heard friends use when talking about him since his recent passing. Mark was one of the most genuine people that I have ever met. He loved his ‘sweetheart’ Betsy and children Lane, Tyler and Kate with his entire heart. His face would light up when he spoke about them.

“That guy is a genius,” was a common remark from folks who would leave Mark’s office and come to mine. Students and faculty from all around the university would go to Mark because he was so smart but also because of his kindness. It was an honor to work with him and I will miss him dearly.

Mark received numerous research grants to further the understanding of racial and ethnic inequality and segregation. He invested heavily in developing programs that increased equitable access to scholarship for undergraduate students and he published numerous papers and books advancing scholarship in his field. His passing is a loss to demography, but his students will carry on because of his investment in them.

Mark’s dear friend, Walt Peacock wrote about Mark…

Mark was such an extraordinarily special person, colleague, and scholar. He was dedicated to making things better, fairer, and more equitable, whether we were talking about his department, the college, university, and, quite frankly, the world. Not surprisingly Mark’s research areas also focused on key issues of inequality, segregation, and racial and ethnic relations. His approach and work reflected not only his keen concerns about the importance of these issues in our world but also his commitment to science and measurement. He demanded the highest rigor in research if it was to provide insight and understanding, particularly if it was to have significance in shaping policy. He was an early developer of agent-based simulation approaches to model and capture how a variety of factors, including preference, shape segregation patterns in urban systems. His recent efforts developing new approaches for measuring and assessing residential segregation clearly reflected his drive to develop more valid and reliable tools upon which to base our science.

Mark was a great, supportive, and kind friend with a wonderful wit and amazing insight. I count myself as being amazingly lucky to have been able to spend so many wonderful hours with him, whether talking over a beer or while walking around the disc golf course, or even working on a proposal or planning out a summer institute schedule. He helped make my life richer, as he did so many others. I will miss him dearly.

One of Mark’s former students and colleagues, Amber Crowell, reports that they finished their book (Racial and Ethnic Residential Segregation Across the United States, forthcoming Springer) applying methods and approaches for examining trends in racial/ethnic residential segregation. Amber wrote the passage below:

His commitment to doing the best quality research and to supporting students is one thing that everybody remembers about him. But there is not a single person who would not also mention how incredibly kind and generous he was. Students and junior faculty especially seem to have countless stories of him devoting extra time and effort to help them seek out opportunities and learn new skills. It was the greatest honor of my life to be his student, colleague, and friend.

These are just two passages from those who were close with Mark. I have heard from so many former students, colleagues, and others who adored him. I was honored to work with him for so long. He was brilliant, witty, and kind. He would help anyone who asked, including my then 4-year-old son who would go to Mark who always had quarters for him to buy a bag of barbecue chips from the vending machine.

We plan to celebrate Mark’s life and contribution to the field of demography at the upcoming SDA meetings. Details to follow.

Bethany DeSalvo

UTSA Today has written an article about Steve Murdock:

In Memoriam: UTSA Remembers Steve Murdock

Obituary and Memorial Service information may be found here:

Steven Murdock Obituary (1948-2023)-Legacy Remembers

We are sad to share the news that Steve Murdock passed away on Friday, April 7 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Memorial services are pending, but will likely be April 28^th or 29^th in Lakeway, Texas.

Steve was President of the SDA in 1995. We will celebrate his contributions to our organization and the field of demography at the 2023 Meeting in San Antonio (October 18-20).

As everyone knows, Steve had a long, distinguished career in demography, rural sociology, and impact analysis. Until Mary, Steve had no children – she gave him a grandson, George, whom he adored. Beyond his family, his legacy lives on the many distinguished careers of the students he taught and mentored.

Folks can send condolences to: Dr. Mary Zey - 7102 Mountain Trail, Austin, TX 78732

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: 

The Alzheimer’s Association at https://www.alz.org/, or 

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Dr. Steven Murdock and Dr. Mary Zey Demography Fellowship at https://giving.utsa.edu/makeagift

• Choose “Other” in the drop down menu and designate your support in memory Steven Murdock, or 
• Make checks payable to UTSA and mail to: UTSA Gift Services, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, TX 78249; on memo line, write “in memory of Steven Murdock.”  
• You may call 210-458-4130 with questions

Regards,

Kara Joyner,

President, Southern Demographic Association

Please click HERE for more information.

Note: This recruitment will remain open until we fill the position. We reserve the right to make a hiring decision at any time. Early applications are encouraged. We will begin reviewing applications on March 29, 2023, and will review additional applications each week until we fill the position.

Save the date!

The 2023 Southern Demographic Association meeting will be held October 18-20 in San Antonio, Texas, at Hotel Contessa. Stay tuned for more information about the conference and how to submit an abstract!

Congratulations Dr. David A. Swanson! 

The Fellows Committee of the Mississippi Academy of Sciences (MAS) has nominated Dr. Swanson to be awarded the status of Fellow based on his professional achievements and service. The council members of MAS have affirmed his status as a Fellow of the Mississippi Academy of Science (FMAS) at the state level. He will be inducted as an FMAS and receive a certificate and a pin at a special inaugural ceremony during the upcoming Annual MAS meeting.

Click HERE for PDF of announcement.

Arkansas Economic Development Institute
Applied Demographer

The Arkansas Economic Development Institute (AEDI) a statewide economic development applied research, technical assistance, and training institute located on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock is seeking an Applied Demographer for a full-time position at the Institute. AEDI serves as the U.S. Census State Data Center for the State of Arkansas. The program falls under the broader Arkansas State Data Center.

https://youraedi.com/services/arkansas-data-center/

The Position

The AEDI Demographer applies skills in demography, economics, statistics, data gathering and data analysis to provide a variety of organizations with data, information, and advice. AEDI is the Arkansas state representative in the Federal State Cooperative for Population Estimates, and for Population Projections. The AEDI Demographer will design projects and initiatives involving demographic data as well as provide conclusions and implications of analyses to public and private policy makers that will enable sound decision-making information to enhance economic development in the State of Arkansas.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

• Knowledge of research methods and techniques in demographic estimation and forecasting
• Knowledge of techniques in estimating population migration
• Knowledge of Census Bureau data and methodologies
• Knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Access
• Knowledge of statistical software (R, Stata, SAS, etc.)
• Ability to be punctual, professional, and self-motivated
• Ability to meet deadlines ahead of time
• Ability to work on multiple projects at a time
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing
• Ability to deal tactfully with clients
• Ability to respond proficiently to media interviews and inquiries
• Ability to explain advanced methodologies in easy-to-understand terms
• Skilled in using advanced demographic techniques to develop databases and models for producing estimates and projections
• Skilled in conducting research on demographic topics
• Skilled in making presentations to a variety of audiences

The successful candidate must have strong analytic and organizational skills and logical thinking, great attention to detail, excellent writing skills, an ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, and an interest in and enthusiasm for all demographic data and applications. The AEDI Demographer will conduct original research, translate demographic information into information for decision makers, produce population projections/forecasts, and provide training and technical assistance in Arkansas. Since many projects require a team approach to solving problems, the person must be able to work well with others, in a variety of group settings. Dealing with clients (private businesses, governmental agencies, elected officials, nonprofits, and individuals) and the media (TV, newspaper, radio, etc.) is also an important aspect of this position.

Minimum Qualifications: A Master’s Degree in demography/population studies, sociology, statistics, or public policy with an emphasis on demography; plus, two (2) years’ work experience with demographic analysis, including population projections, along with presenting the conclusions and implications of the analysis clearly in both written and oral formats. Beginning salary range $82,000 to $90,000 annually.

If you are interested in joining our team: Application materials must be submitted through the online application system. Additional information about this position and application requirements are available under the Jobs link on the Human Resources’ website at http://ualr.edu/humanresources/ . Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This position is subject to a pre-employment criminal background check. A criminal conviction or arrest pending adjudication alone shall not disqualify an applicant in the absence of a relationship to the requirements of the position. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law.

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and actively seeks the candidacy of minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities. Under Arkansas law, all applications are subject to disclosure. Persons hired must have proof of legal authority to work in the United States.

Arkansas Economic Development Institute
Reynolds Center for Business and Economic Development
2801 South University Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72204-1099
501-916-3519 (p) 501-916-3538 (f)
https://youraedi.com

Loudoun County, Virginia is hiring a Demographer to join our Department of Finance and Budget, to lead the County’s demographic analysis function. This is a permanent, full-time position in a dynamic county in the Washington, DC region. The link to the position can be found here.

The Congressional Research Service would like to share this career opportunity with you and your network.

Analyst in Social Policy (Social Security Disability Insurance)

Open/Closing dates: 12/02/2022 to 12/30/2022

Salary: $106,823 - $138,868 per year

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) Domestic Social Policy Division (DSP) is seeking an Analyst in Social Policy (Social Security Disability Insurance) to provide expertise on and analysis of issues pertinent to the Social Security Disability Insurance program (e.g., financing, solvency of trust funds, program impact on beneficiaries, program design and operations, trends of the working-age disabled population, return-to-work initiatives) or related disability insurance programs.

The analyst will prepare authoritative, objective, and non-partisan analytical studies and descriptive and background reports on Social Security Disability Insurance and related disability insurance policy; provide personal consultation and assistance to congressional committees, Members, and staff on policies and programs throughout the legislative process; and participate in or lead team research projects and seminars. The analyst is also expected to develop over time the skills necessary to provide legislative analysis and consultation to congressional committees, Members, and staff at increasingly sophisticated levels on policies such as changing Social Security’s existing eligibility requirements, application and adjudication processes, or benefit and financing structure.

CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. As a legislative branch agency within the Library of Congress, CRS has been a valued and respected resource on Capitol Hill for more than a century. CRS is well known for analysis that is timely, authoritative, confidential, objective and nonpartisan. Its highest priority is to ensure that Congress has immediate access to the nation's best thinking on public policy issues of interest to its committees and Members.

CRS is fully committed to workforce diversity. Interested applicants must apply online at USAJOBS https://www.usajobs.gov/job/692444600.

Please help us improve our recruitment efforts by letting us know how you heard about the position. This question is asked in the application process.

Please click HERE to see the Program for the 2022 SDA Conference. We can't wait to see you in Knoxville!

Updated: October 14, 2022

Originally posted: September 26, 2022