Dr. Zafer Buyukkececi | Sociology | Best Researcher Award

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Dr. Zafer Buyukkececi | Sociology | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Zafer Buyukkececi, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Germany

Zafer Büyükkeçeci is a post-doctoral research scientist at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, specializing in demographic behavior and network effects. He holds a PhD in microsociology from Humboldt University of Berlin, where his research on the impact of network dynamics on demographic behavior earned him second place in the 2021 ECSR Prize for best PhD thesis. Zafer has also earned a Master’s in Sociology from Tilburg University and a Research Master’s in Sociology and Demography from Pompeu Fabra University. His research projects cover various sociological domains, including fertility, economic outcomes, inequality, and the kinship matrix. He has contributed to several large-scale studies funded by the German Research Foundation and the European Research Council. With extensive teaching experience at institutions like Maastricht University, University of Bamberg, and the European Consortium for Political Research, Zafer also actively engages in mentoring and volunteering efforts. He is a member of numerous academic organizations, including the Population Association of America and the European Association for Population Studies. His academic interests are underpinned by a strong commitment to research excellence and teaching, with a focus on understanding social dynamics in demographic contexts.

Professional Profile 🎓

Summary of Suitability for Best Researcher Award 🌍

Zafer Büyükkeçeci is highly suitable for the Best Researcher Award based on his exceptional academic background, extensive research contributions, and involvement in a wide range of high-impact research projects. Below is a summary of his qualifications:

Education 📚

  • PhD in Microsociology – Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany (2017–2021)
    • Thesis: Network Effects on Demographic Behavior
    • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Anette Fasang, Prof. Dr. Thomas Leopold
  • MSc in Sociology (With Distinction) – Tilburg University, Netherlands (08/2014–02/2015)
    • Thesis: Income Homogamy Across Time and Countries
    • Supervisors: Prof. Dr. Gosta Esping-Andersen, Dr. Wilfred Uunk
  • Research Master in Sociology and Demography – Pompeu Fabra University, Spain (09/2013–06/2014)
    • GPA: 8.5/10
  • BA in Environmental Engineering – Istanbul Technical University, Turkey (09/2007–02/2013)

Work Experience 💼

  • Research Scientist / Postdoctoral Associate – Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (11/2023 – Ongoing)
  • Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Associate – University of Cologne, Institute of Sociology and Social Psychology (04/2020 – 11/2023)
  • Research Assistant – Humboldt University of Berlin, Microsociology (02/2019 – 04/2020)
  • Research Assistant – University of Bamberg / The State Institute for Family Research, Professorship of Demography (02/2017 – 02/2019)
  • Research Assistant – Maastricht University, Research Centre for Education and Labour Market (ROA) (05/2015 – 01/2017)

Awards & Recognition 🏅

  • ECSR Prize for Best PhD Thesis (2nd Place, 2021) – European Consortium for Sociological Research
  • NORFACE ERA-NET Cofund Grant (1.43M €) Contributor – Project: Inequality, Early Adult Life Courses and Economic Outcomes at Mid-Life in Comparative Context (EQUALLIVES)
  • German Research Foundation (DFG) Grant (110,000 €) Contributor – Project: Network Effects on Fertility
  • ERC Grants Contributor – KINMATRIX and BIOSFER

Research Skills 🔬

  • Quantitative Methods:
    • Panel Data Analysis, Longitudinal Data Analysis
    • Sequence Analysis, Multilevel Modeling
    • Event History Analysis, Social Network Analysis
  • Software & Tools:
    • R, Stata, Python
    • LaTeX, SQL
  • Survey Design & Data Collection:
    • Large-scale survey design, Demographic data analysis
    • Experimental research methods
  • Demographic & Sociological Research Areas:
    • Social Networks and Demographic Behavior
    • Fertility and Family Dynamics
    • Socioeconomic Inequality and Life Course Analysis
    • Migration and Labor Market Outcomes

Publication Top Notes 📖

Women’s Work-Family Trajectories and Earnings by Ethno-Religious Groups in Israel: More Equality in the Public Sector?

Mapping modern kinship networks: First results from the KINMATRIX survey

Adult sibling relationships: The impact of cohabitation, marriage, separation, and childbearing

Parent–Child Relationships Following Gray Divorce: Stronger Ties With Mothers, Weaker Ties With Fathers

Rising Patriarchy and Declining Economic Opportunity: Life Courses and Social Change in Egypt between 1965 and 2018