September 29, 2022 | News | Welcome to the MPIDR
Stefano Arnolfo is a new PhD Student at the Research Group “Gender Inequalities and Fertility”
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Stefano Arnolfo comes from the University of Turin in Italy. He is researching how current family trends affect women and men differently. In Rostock, he enjoys the fresh breeze in the mornings that the proximity to the Baltic Sea brings.
What question drives you most in your research?
Partnering and fertility behaviors have undergone significant transformations in the last decades, especially towards de-standardization of family life and increased path complexity. My goal is to study how current family trends affect women and men differently and explore the links between family formation processes and other sources of inequalities such as labor market disadvantage.
What are you looking forward to as you start working at the MPIDR?
Being at the forefront of demographic research, the MPIDR offers a challenging but stimulating environment. I believe working together with peers with a multidisciplinary background will foster my abilities as a researcher and help me tackle the challenges of being a PhD Student. The welcome I received here could not have been warmer, and I am looking forward to a long-lasting friendship with my new colleagues at the Institute.
What do you like most about Rostock?
Even if I do not have time to explore all of Rostock, its colorful buildings and beautiful city center have quickly won me over. I also like the fact that it is possible to walk pretty much everywhere, as I am used to commuting and shopping by foot. The closeness to the Baltic Sea also brings a fresh breeze in the morning which I really enjoy. This is my first time living abroad, and I am really excited to discover a new culture and the German lifestyle.
What are you obsessed with at the moment besides demography?
I have always been a sports enthusiast and I am really looking forward to picking up some of the outdoor activities offered in the area. I especially love cycling and I intend to spend a lot of time riding during my time in Rostock. The Institute is located right next to the banks of the Warnow River and I have discovered that I really enjoy watching sailboats and ferries pass by the building, which I find extremely calming.