Linjuan Cai

Biography
I joined the Department of Social Statistics at The University of Manchester in September, 2024, as an  postgraduate researcher. My research focuses on the impact of gender roles and social norms on fertility intentions, using Bayesian Hierarchical models to examine these effects across different cultural contexts. I aim to understand how societal influences, like gender stereotypes and social norms related to marriage and child-rearing, shape individuals' fertility intentions.

Prior to my current program, I have conducted research on social behaviors and norms, which has fueled my interest in exploring how deeply ingrained beliefs impact demographic trends. My approach combines statistical methodologies with a nuanced understanding of social constructs to uncover insights into fertility patterns and their implications for social policy.

Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in Social Statistics under the supervision of Jihye Kim, Wendy Olsen, and Simon Rudkin.

Research Interests
My research interests are interdisciplinary, spanning the fields of gender studies, social norms, and demographic behavior. Specifically, I am exploring how gender roles and societal norms influence fertility intentions, applying Bayesian Hierarchical modeling to analyze complex, multi-level data. I am also interested in areas related to social and family dynamics, social policy, and statistical modeling.