Post doctoral researcher | Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research | Germany
Dr. Saroja Adhikari is a dedicated demographer and researcher currently contributing to the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR) in Rostock, Germany, as a postdoctoral research scientist. Her academic journey and professional endeavors have consistently focused on understanding demographic changes, fertility trends, and the role of education in population dynamics, particularly in South Asia and lower- and middle-income countries. With a strong foundation in statistics and demography, Dr. Adhikari brings a comprehensive approach to addressing complex demographic challenges.
Profile
Scopus
Education
Dr. Adhikari earned her Ph.D. in Demography from the University of Vienna in 2024. Her dissertation explored the intersections of education, fertility intentions, and behaviors across various socio-economic contexts, under the guidance of esteemed scholars like Wolfgang Lutz and Samir KC. Before this, she obtained a Master’s degree in Statistics from Tribhuvan University, Nepal, where her thesis investigated menstrual hygiene practices among adolescent schoolgirls. Her academic foundation is further strengthened by a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Physics, and Mathematics from the same university, reflecting her strong quantitative skills and interdisciplinary knowledge.
Experience
Dr. Adhikari’s research expertise spans over five years of rigorous academic and applied work. Her tenure at MPIDR focuses on forecasting the demographic landscape of South Asia, with a special emphasis on kinship structures and grandparenthood. During her doctoral studies at IIASA, she undertook groundbreaking research on fertility projections for 201 countries and developed innovative methodologies to study the interplay between female education, urbanization, and fertility behaviors. Her experience as a data analyst at DDSD and Grow by Data Service further enriched her analytical capabilities, enabling her to bridge data-driven insights with policy implications.
Research Interests
Dr. Adhikari’s research interests revolve around fertility trends, education’s impact on demographic behaviors, and gender dynamics in population studies. She is particularly interested in how socio-economic factors, such as urbanization and migration, influence fertility patterns and family structures in developing regions. Her work often integrates advanced statistical modeling with interdisciplinary perspectives to address global demographic challenges.
Awards
Dr. Adhikari has been recognized for her academic excellence and impactful research. Her doctoral work received international acclaim, and she has been invited to present her findings at prestigious conferences, including the Population Association of America and the European Population Conference. Her contributions to understanding fertility trends and education’s role in demographic transitions have made her a sought-after speaker in demographic research forums.
Publications
- Adhikari, S., Lutz, W., & Kebede, E. (2024). Forecasting Africa’s fertility decline by female education groups. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(46), e2320247121.
Cited by: Research on the demographic impact of educational policies in Africa.
- Adhikari, S., Lutz, W., & KC, S. (2024). Rural/urban fertility differentials and the role of female education in declining birth rates: Comparative analysis in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Asian Population Studies, 1-25.
Cited by: Studies on rural-urban demographic disparities in the Global South.
- KC, S., Dhakad, M., Potančoková, M., et al., including Adhikari, S. (2024). Updating the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) Global Population and Human Capital Projections.
- Adhikari, S. (2023). Examining the role of female education on son preference among Nepalese women. IIASA Working Paper.
- Ueffing, P., Adhikari, S., et al. (2023). Ukraine’s population future after the Russian invasion – The role of migration for demographic change. Publications Office of the European Union.
- Shrestha, N. J., Subedi, K. U., Shakya, S., & Adhikari, S. (2019). Prevalence of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with Perinatal Asphyxia in Tertiary Hospital. Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society, 39(2), 109-115.
- Shrestha, N., Thapa, M., Subedi, K. U., et al., including Adhikari, S. (2021). Occurrence of Hypocalcaemia in Admitted Neonates in NICU. Medical Journal of Shree Birendra Hospital, 20(2).
Conclusion
Dr. Saroja Adhikari exemplifies a commitment to advancing demographic research with a focus on socio-economic and cultural determinants of population dynamics. Her impactful contributions, recognized through publications and international presentations, position her as a leading voice in the field of demography. With a blend of academic rigor and applied research experience, Dr. Adhikari continues to influence policy and scholarship in global demographic studies.