November 14, 2025 | News | New Faces at MPIDR

Welcome Aysha Basheer!

Aysha Basheer joined the team of the Laboratory of Migration and Mobility at MPIDR. © MPIDR/Schulz

Aysha Basheer has joined the team at the Laboratory of Migration and Mobility at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR). She joins MPIDR from the University of Manchester, where she is working towards a PhD in Social Statistics. Her thesis focuses on using Bayesian methods to estimate and forecast human migration patterns and determinants, employing data-driven approaches.

She holds bachelor's and master's degrees in Mathematics from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. After completing her studies, she worked as a research fellow at the Indian Statistical Institute in Kolkata.

What question drives you most in your research?
I am really interested in the challenge of using data and statistical models to make sense of complex migration patterns. I am particularly interested in how migration patterns evolve across age and gender, and how socio-economic factors shape these movements across countries. I enjoy trying to understand all that complexity through data.

Why did you choose MPIDR as your new employer and what are you particularly looking forward to as you start working at the MPIDR?
I chose MPIDR because of its strong interdisciplinary nature and the creative research environment here. It feels like the perfect place for what I am interested in; combining data-driven approaches with questions about population processes. I am really looking forward to learning from people, growing as a researcher, and hopefully contributing something meaningful.

Where are you from? What do you miss most about home (and maybe: what don’t you miss at all)? 
I’m from Kerala, a beautiful state in South India known for its beaches and greenery. I miss my family and the food the most. What I don’t miss is the noise and the heat! Right now, I am coming from Manchester, and I really miss my friends there and all the things we used to do together.

What do you like about Rostock?
I love how calm and peaceful Rostock is, and being so close to the beach makes it even better. I like how the city has this relaxed vibe that makes it easy to slow down and enjoy life.

What is your favorite and what is your least favorite part about work? 
My favorite part is when the model finally runs properly and the results start to make sense. My least favorite part is definitely debugging, especially when nothing seems to work and I have no idea why!

What are you obsessed with at the moment besides demography?  
At the moment, I am quite obsessed with learning German. My goal is to be able to have a proper conversation before I leave! I have also been enjoying exploring Rostock, it’s been fun discovering new cafes, quiet spots, and walking routes.