Qixin Cai

“From an early age, I recognized aging as an inevitable dimension of human existence. What once evoked sadness in me has gradually transformed into a calm acceptance of the life course.” — by Qixin Cai

My name is Qixin Cai, currently a Research Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania Population Aging Research Center (PARC). I was a visiting Ph.D. student at the Population Studies Center under the supervision of Professor Emily Hannum.

I am a young demographer specializing in the study of aging, with a focus on longitudinal data analysis and gerontechnology. My academic journey is centered on advancing knowledge in population aging, economic and health disparities in older populations, and the development of policies that address the needs of aging societies. I aim to contribute to the next generation of scholarship on global aging by bridging gaps between research, policy, and practical interventions.

My research primarily concentrates on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), examining the unique challenges these regions face due to aging populations. These include issues of healthcare access, pension systems, caregiving, and the integration of technology into aging care practices.

I aim to be a leader in global aging research, producing evidence-based solutions that inform policy and improve the lives of older adults worldwide. My work will continue to focus on how interdisciplinary approaches can lead to effective, sustainable changes in social policies and practices that address the needs of aging populations in diverse settings.

Research Focus

My research is interdisciplinary, drawing from demography, sociology, social policy, and social welfare. I explore the critical intersections between population aging and societal well-being, with an emphasis on understanding the economic and health implications of an aging population. Specifically, my expertise includes:

Population Aging: Analyzing the dynamics of aging populations across various global contexts, with a particular focus on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Longitudinal Data: My research centers on the innovative measurement and analysis of aging populations, with a particular emphasis on longitudinal data to understand the evolving economic, health, and social circumstances of older adults over time. I utilize cutting-edge data collection and measurement techniques to capture the dynamic nature of aging, exploring both short- and long-term outcomes in diverse populations.
Income, Poverty, and Welfare: Investigating how income inequality, poverty, and welfare systems affect the well-being of aging individuals and communities.
Gerontechnology: Exploring the role of technology in enhancing the quality of life for older adults, with a particular focus on innovations that address the specific challenges posed by aging.

Teaching Areas

As an educator, I strive to foster critical thinking and practical solutions in the study of aging. The courses I teach include:

Aging China: An in-depth exploration of China’s aging population and the policies designed to address the socio-economic implications of this demographic shift.
Social Policy and Social Care for an Aging Society: A critical examination of the frameworks, policies, and interventions required to create effective care systems for aging populations.
Sociology of Aging: Analyzing the social dimensions of aging, this course looks at how different cultures and societies approach aging and the elderly.

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