Policy & Research
Think Tank
The Think Tank vertical of The Research Wise (TRW) functions as a space for demography-led policy thinking, public reasoning, and long-term engagement with population-related challenges. It is oriented toward ideas, dialogue, and knowledge production, rather than commissioned or client-driven research.
Mission
What We Do
We position demography and population studies as central to understanding policy challenges related to development, inequality, governance, health, labour, and social change. The Think Tank seeks to: foreground population dynamics in policy debates; bridge academic demographic research with public and policy discourse; promote evidence-based and historically grounded thinking on social issues.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to produce evidence-based demographic and social policy insights, foster informed policy dialogue, and enhance public understanding of demographic data. We envision an independent think tank that provides a credible, science-driven perspective on demographic issues in India and globally.
How We Work
Our approach is interdisciplinary, drawing from demography, sociology, social work, economics, public health, and political science; grounded in empirical evidence while remaining attentive to institutional and historical contexts; committed to scientific temper, inclusivity, and public engagement. Rather than responding to short-term policy demands, the Mission guides long-term intellectual direction and coherence across all Think Tank activities.
Key Components
Policy Dialogues & Panels
We host policy dialogues and expert panels on demographic topics, including our flagship Census Series. These forums bring together policymakers, researchers, and civil society to discuss migration, urbanization, aging, youth, gender, and social justice from a demographic lens.
See our panels & events →Demography & Social Policy Labs
Our labs conduct thematic research clusters and pilot studies in collaboration with universities. We run field experiments and rapid assessments to inform social policy through demographic data.
Demographic Futures & Scenario Planning
We develop demographic projections and scenario models using AI-assisted tools, analyzing the impact of demographic changes on labor, health, education, and regional inequalities.
Data Literacy & Public Engagement
We simplify demographic data for the public through myth-busting briefs, infographics, podcasts, and outreach to schools and colleges, enhancing public understanding of demographic issues.
Fellowships & Scholarly Engagement
We offer fellowship programs for visiting scholars and young researchers, publish working papers, and provide mentorship opportunities to nurture the next generation of demographic experts.
Recent Research
Beyond Replacement: Is India Entering a New Demographic Regime?
India's latest health and family survey shows the national fertility rate holding steady at two chil...
DemographyDelimitation and Democracy: The Politics of Electoral Boundaries
Electoral delimitation - the redrawing of constituency boundaries - is among the most consequential...
Gender & SocietyYouth, Dowry, and Social Conformity in Contemporary India
An exploratory study examining the tension between Indian youth's stated moral opposition to dowry a...
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