Ana Tramosljanin, Photo: Daniel Rosetti/Stockholm University

What are you doing now?
Since October 2023, I am a PhD student at the Department of Human Geography, Stockholm University. My project focuses on residential segregation in Sweden, and more specifically how changes in the rental sector (such as renovations and privatisations of public housing) affects segregation. I use quantitative methods and Swedish register data to explore this.

How did you get to where you are today?
I first completed a Bachelor’s program at Stockholm University in political science and economics. I liked the combination of understanding and analysing societal challenges using quantitative methods, which led me to the master’s program in demography. During the master’s, I got to do a research internship at the Centre for Demographic Research, Institute of Social Sciences in Belgrade, Serbia. After that, I worked as a research assistant at SOFI (Swedish Institute for Social Research) and started warming up to the idea to do a PhD myself.

Considering that I wasn’t sure (or aware of) if I wanted to do a PhD, the master’s programme equipped me with skills in quantitative methods, data management, and data analysis, which is what I aimed to work with after completing the program. The focus on large societal processes and challenges such as fertility, mortality, and migration, made me ready for various types of jobs. At last, my interest in segregation led me to apply to a PhD position at the Department of Human Geography where I get to do exactly what I like – explore causes and consequences of segregation, using the excellent register data that Sweden is famous for.

How did our Master's Programme in Demography help you realize your professional goals?
The courses that I took during the program have helped me greatly in my first year of my PhD, especially when it comes to data management and choosing the suitable method for my research questions. The opportunity to go on an internship was also helpful in terms of realising that I like the academic environment and would like to stay for a bit.

Why did you choose SUDA and Stockholm University for your master studies?
I chose SUDA based on the fact that it offered a multidisciplinary master’s programme which I think is very advantageous today. A nice bonus is that it gathers students with different academic backgrounds. It had a clear focus on learning methods commonly used in demographic research, but also flexibility to choose your own courses and do an internship. Once enrolled, I really enjoyed the fact that the active researchers from SUDA presented their research during lectures and such.