Overview

CSDE is distinguished both by a long institutional tradition at this University, and by recent changes that have consolidated its strengths and established a basis for innovative future research. Demography and population studies began at the University of Washington in the 1920’s, when Roderick McKenzie and William F. Ogburn served on the faculty. The first center for regional population studies was established by Calvin Schmid in 1947 as the Office of Population Research in the Department of Sociology. This became the CSDE in 1967 under the leadership of Stanley Lieberson. CSDE prospered over the next thirty years with a series of distinguished directors: Samuel Preston, Thomas Pullum, Charles Hirschman and Avery Guest. The development of CSDE has been marked by research of increasingly national and international scope, a growing multi-disciplinary focus, and increased external funding for research, center support, and training.

Under the direction of Robert Plotnick (1997-2002), CSDE became an independent unit within the College of Arts and Sciences in July 2000. In 2002, CSDE first received federal funding under the Eunice Kennedy Shriver NICHD (EKSNICHD) population infrastructure program. Martina Morris, director from 2002 to 2006, was responsible for overseeing the increase in staffing and the dramatic expansion of CSDE’s core research support services that followed. Under the leadership of Shelly Lundberg (2006-2010), the Center started a development program to stimulate research projects, added GIS to the roster of core services, and implemented the expanded CSDE Training Program, increasing the number of trainees from six to more than 20 per year.  Under the leadership of Mark Ellis (2010-2016), CSDE formalized its training program with the establishment of a graduate certificate in Demographic Methods and established the Northwest Federal Statistic Research Data Center (NWFSRDC).

Early History of CSDE by Charles Hirschman

Charles Hirschman, Professor Emeritus, CSDE Director 1987-1995

The UW Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology (CSDE): The First 50 Years

Former CSDE Director (1987-1995) Charlie Hirschman recently wrote an essay titled, “The UW Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology (CSDE): The First 50 Years” discussing his time as director of the center. He also speaks of past directors and what he learned from them, what they did throughout their tenure to improve the center, and how they helped CSDE grow.

“I have had a unique perch as a participant observer of CSDE for several decades, including a stint as director (from 1987-95). I have also learned a lot about CSDE by just listening. Faculty scuttlebutt generally consists of humorous stories about the colorful characters that roamed our academic hallways many years ago. My informants about CSDE and the Department of Sociology include most of my senior colleagues from the 1980s onward, including Pete Guest, Jim McCann, Lowell Hargens, Fred Campbell, Frank Miyamoto, Otto Larsen, Herb Costner, and Tad Blalock. I have also learned a lot about CSDE from informal conversations with past directors, including Stan Lieberson, Sam Preston, and Tom Pullum—good friends all.”

Charlie Hirschman’s impact on CSDE is great and has helped build the center to become a lasting legacy.

CSDE’s 75th & Counting Anniversary Celebration: CSDE History – Hirschman Presentation

On May 15 & 16th, 2025, CSDE held our 75th & Counting Anniversary to celebrate more than 75 years of demographic research and training at the UW. Alumni, colleagues, faculty, friends, staff, and students shared reflections and insights about CSDE’s histories, CSDE’s impact on research and training, and CSDE’s future contributions in the next 75 years. On May 16th, Charlie gave a presentation on CSDE’s history. To view that presentation, click the link below.

CSDE: A Brief History of the First Fifty Years – Charles Hirschman, Professor Emeritus

History of CSDE: Told by Former CSDE Directors

CSDE 75th & Counting Anniversary: CSDE History – Director Interviews Video

Since 1947, CSDE has prospered as a research center and has built a community of scholars that develop new demographic measures and methods, advance knowledge about population dynamics, generate new data and evidence to support population science, and train the next generation of demographers.

A lot of this is in thanks to the incredible staff, faculty, and leaders of CSDE over the years. As part of CSDE’s 75th & Counting Anniversary Celebration, a few CSDE staff members interviewed 5 of the former CSDE Directors to reflect on CSDE’s history, learn about their time in their leadership role, and talk about what shaped CSDE into the legacy it is. Thank you to Charlie Hirschman, Robert Plotnick, Martina Morris, Shelly Lundberg, and Mark Ellis for taking the time to talk to us.

To watch these interviews, either click one of the drop downs to watch individual videos by question, or scroll to the last drop down and watch the video in full.

CSDE Archives

Hirschman, Charles (1990), “Graduate Studies in Demography and Ecology at the Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology“

Hirschman, Charles (1992), “Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology: 1990-1992 Report“

Hirschman, Charles (1995), “Calvin Fisher Schmid: 1902-1994“

Hirschman, Charles (1996), “Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology: 1993-1996 Report“

Miyamoto, Frank (1995), ” Calvin F. Schmid and the Giddings Tradition at Washington“

CSDE Logo

The CSDE logo, designed by Marvin Oliver, features a male and female salmon. The pairing signifies fertility, migration, and mortality – three core subjects of demography.