Rachel Franklin

Rachel Franklin is a Professor at the School of Geography, Politics and Sociology. Her work focuses on population geography and spatial demography, particularly the spatial distribution of populations and demographic change through migration, population loss, and natural change (births and deaths).

• B.A. in French and Political Science
• M.A. in West-European Studies (Area Studies)
• Ph.D. in Geography (2004) on low fertility in Italy

Her research emphasizes quantitative methods, including multivariate regression and GIS, to analyze demographic patterns and their socioeconomic implications like labor markets and consumption trends. She highlights the importance of methodological rigor in causal inference and Big Data analysis.

Rachel advocates for stronger mathematical and coding foundations in social science education, citing Steven Johnson's 'The Ghost Map' as a key methodological inspiration. She has balanced academic work with family life, noting shifting dynamics in academia for dual-career couples.