INVEST Visitor: Weiqian Xia

In the “INVEST visitors” series, we present visiting professors and fellows who have arrived at the flagship INVEST. This time we are introducing Research Fellow Weiqian Xia.

My name is Weiqian Xia. I am currently a Wenner-Gren Research Fellow based at Åbo Akademi in Vaasa, funded by the Wenner-Gren Foundations in Sweden. I am also affiliated with the Department of Sociology, Stockholm University, where I obtained my Ph.D.

I have a broad research interest, including religious demography, migration and ethnic relations, and political sociology. My current main research project is on the trends, determinants and consequences of religious affiliation in the highly secular Finnish society, using the religious affiliation registered data in Finland.

Why do you want to visit INVEST?

Since the start of my fellowship in Finland, visiting INVEST has been at the top of my bucket list. I have previously met many researchers from INVEST, and I am deeply impressed by the high-quality sociological and demographic research produced here. I believe that engaging with INVEST’s vibrant academic community would provide valuable opportunities for intellectual exchange, methodological learning, and potential collaborations that could significantly enrich my ongoing projects.

In particular, I am drawn to INVEST’s expertise in population research, especially topics concerning social mobility, fertility, and health outcomes. By integrating those into my research interests, I will expand my research horizon and broaden my academic development. I also see it as a great opportunity to build up my network and strengthen the connections among Nordic sociological and demographic research units.

What do you expect/hope to reach during your visit to INVEST?

I am looking forward to interacting with and collaborating with colleagues at INVEST, including Prof. Mikko Niemelä and Prof. Marika Jalovaara. With their help, I hope to further develop my understanding and skills in using the Finnish registered data and learn to shed light on policy implications from our research. Beyond this, I believe that interactions with INVEST colleagues, either formally or casually, will spark more research ideas and opportunities for collaboration.