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A Visiting scholar experience at the LIVES Centre – Chiara Comolli

21/10/2024

Between April and July 2024, Chiara Ludovica Comolli, assistant professor of demography at the University of Bologna, visited the LIVES Centre at the University of Lausanne to work with Prof. Laura Bernardi. Chiara’s research focuses on fertility behaviors in developed countries, on how childbearing decisions relate to uncertainty, and more broadly on family dynamics and inequality. Her other research interests include gender and socioeconomic inequalities in ageing, health and wellbeing over the life course.

During her stay, LIVES and UNIL members had the opportunity to attend her talk about “Inequalities of Mortality around Bereavement in Italy” at the LIVES research colloquium. She kindly answered to our questions about her months with us. 

What was the purpose of your visit and how did it merge with your specific research area?

The purpose of my visit was to continue existing collaborations with LIVES researchers and also start new ones. I am a demographer working on how uncertainty and inequality affect fertility and family dynamics, and also wellbeing, in high income countries. The knowledge and expertise of the scholars at LIVES in this and neighbouring fields, at the intersection of sociology and demography, is truly invaluable and being exposed to such community has been incredibly inspiring for me.

Which collaborations emerged from your visit?

Besides the single collaborations, what I found most enriching of my visit was getting to know the incredibly lively and smart cohort of young researchers at LIVES. They are actively contributing to developing a stimulating and friendly environment in which talent has the potential to grow to its full potential.

What's the spot you liked most in the region?

Definitely the Terraced vineyards of Lavaux!