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| 1 | +--- |
| 2 | +title: "Demystifying machine learning for population researchers" |
| 3 | +editor: |
| 4 | + markdown: |
| 5 | + wrap: 72 |
| 6 | +--- |
| 7 | + |
| 8 | +Advances in computational power and statistical algorithms, in |
| 9 | +conjunction with the increasing availability of large datasets, have led |
| 10 | +to a Cambrian explosion of machine learning (ML) methods. For population |
| 11 | +researchers, these methods are useful not only for predicting population |
| 12 | +dynamics but also as tools to improve causal inference tasks. However, |
| 13 | +the rapid evolution of this literature, coupled with terminological |
| 14 | +disparities from conventional approaches, renders these methods |
| 15 | +enigmatic and arduous for many population researchers to grasp. |
| 16 | + |
| 17 | +This workshop clarifies the goals, techniques, and applications of |
| 18 | +machine learning methods for population research. The workshop covers |
| 19 | + |
| 20 | +- an introduction to ML methods for population researchers, |
| 21 | + |
| 22 | +- showcases of ML applications to answer causal questions, |
| 23 | + |
| 24 | +- discussions of the current developments of ML for population health, |
| 25 | + fertility and family dynamics, and |
| 26 | + |
| 27 | +- fosters critical discussions about the shortfalls of these |
| 28 | + techniques. |
| 29 | + |
| 30 | +The main focus of this workshop is on ML techniques using quantitative |
| 31 | +population data and research questions, not on ML language models. The |
| 32 | +workshop consists of keynotes, contributed sessions, and a tutorial. |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +One keynote lecture will be delivered by Prof. Ian Lundberg (Cornell |
| 35 | +University, <https://www.ianlundberg.org/>). Prof. Jennie E. Brand |
| 36 | +(UCLA, <https://www.profjenniebrand.com/>) will deliver an online talk. |
| 37 | + |
| 38 | +This in-person workshop will take place in November 5-6 at the Max |
| 39 | +Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock. We invite |
| 40 | +population researchers with interest in ML applications. We aim to |
| 41 | +receive contributions from different fields of population sciences, such |
| 42 | +as population health, formal and social demography, public health and |
| 43 | +economics, among others. |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +We invite submission of original research abstract with relevance to ML |
| 46 | +and population sciences (max 500 words) and a CV (max. one page) to |
| 47 | +MLworkshop\@demogr.mpg.de. |
| 48 | + |
| 49 | +Submission Deadline: **30. April 2024** |
| 50 | + |
| 51 | +Decisions on the selection will be communicated before May 15th. Please |
| 52 | +direct any questions to this email address. |
| 53 | + |
| 54 | +Organization committee: Angela Carollo, Aapo Hiilamo, Mikko Myrskyla. |
| 55 | + |
| 56 | +*The workshop has no fees. Participants are expected to cover their |
| 57 | +travel and accommodation but limited financial support, offered on a |
| 58 | +competitive basis, is available for junior scientists or scientists from |
| 59 | +low-middle income countries. Please indicate the request for such |
| 60 | +funding at the time of abstract submission.* |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +*The workshop is organized by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic |
| 63 | +Research and The Max Planck -- University of Helsinki Center for Social |
| 64 | +Inequalities in Population Health.* |
| 65 | + |
| 66 | +{width="300"} |
| 67 | + |
| 68 | +{width="300"} |
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