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Center for Studies in Demography and Ecology

*New* CSDE Winter Lightning Talks: Apply by Feb 4

UW students, apply now to participate CSDE’s Winter 2026 Lightning Talks and Poster Session! This session is a unique opportunity to make new connections with faculty and students working in your area, and to improve your presentation and poster-making skills in advance of larger conferences. To apply, submit a brief abstract and information about yourself and your collaborators on the project by February 4.

COB Wednesday, February 4th: Deadline to Submit an Abstract (200 word maximum)

By COB Monday, February 9th: Presenters Announced/Notified

By Noon Monday, March 2nd: deadline to email presentation slides + poster to Mingze Li (mingzeli@uw.edu)

Friday, March 6: CSDE Lightning Talks and Poster Session from 12:30-1:30pm, Raitt 221.

Conway and Colleagues Publish Study on Mothers’ Experiences of Parenting in U.S. Intimate Partner Violence Shelters

In a recent article in the Journal of Family Violence, CSDE External Affiliate Anne Conway (Univesity of Tennessee) was part of a team that explored how intimate partner violence (IPV) shelter policies and practices influence autonomy and well-being among survivors who are parenting young children in the shelter. Using semi-structured interviews with 14 survivors from shelters across the United States, they examined the ways in which shelter rules, staff, and childcare provisions, shape the lived experiences of survivors. Findings indicate that while shelter rules are designed to ensure safety and structure, they often conflict with survivors’ desires for agency and control over their parenting. Many participants reported feeling disempowered by rigid policies. However, survivors also highlighted moments where the rules provided a sense of structure and safety in which they could bond with their children.

Pörtner Estimates Impacts of Economic Shocks and Mental Health in Bangladesh

External Affiliate Claus Pörtner (Seattle University) recently published an article in BMJ Global Health titled, “Economic shocks and mental health in Bangladesh.” Pörtner and co-authors used nationally representative panel data over two waves and applied individual fixed effects to estimate the impact of economic shocks on mental health outcomes. Of the 7900 individuals surveyed, more than 16% experienced depression, 6.5% experienced anxiety and 5% experienced both. Economic shocks significantly increased depression and anxiety. Individuals experiencing multiple types of shocks had nearly double the risk of reporting either mental health disorder compared with those facing a single shock. These impacts persisted for 6–12 months post-shock. Adverse mental health effects were concentrated among individuals without coping mechanisms, such as use of savings, credit or support from friends and family, while education appeared protective.

PAA 2026: Pre-Register by February 4 and Volunteer to Serve as Chair or Discussant

PAA looks forward to seeing you May 6-9 in St. Louis, Missouri!

All accepted presenters will be required to pre-register for the conference by February 4, 2026 to secure spot on the program. The program and schedule will not be available until mid-February. Registration is now open for you to secure your spot at PAA 2026. See all details and register here.

PAA is looking for volunteers to be chairs and discussants for some additional PAA sessions at the 2026 annual meeting. Selections will be made on a first come, first serve basis. Sign up here.

Please note the guidelines below:

  • Please feel free to make several selections, but note that you will only be assigned one role unless there is still a need for additional chairs and discussants after all volunteers have been given a role.
  • You cannot have more than four roles total at the PAA 2026 meeting, with two as a presenter.
  • If you are presenting or serving in other roles already, MiraSmart will resolve any possible conflicts before the session schedule is finalized.
  • You must be pre-registered for the conference to serve in these roles.
  • Guidelines for these roles will be sent out approximately one month before the start of the conference