UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Three Penn State faculty were recently named editors of the journal Demography for a three-year term.

Jennifer Van Hook, professor of sociology and demography and director of Penn State’s Population Research Institute; Stephen Matthews, professor of sociology, anthropology and demography; and John Iceland, department head and professor of sociology and demography at Penn State, will assume editorship of the journal in May 2016.

Demography is the flagship journal of the Population Association of America, reaching the membership of one of the largest professional demographic associations in the world. “We’re very honored to be named editors and look forward to collaborating with other demographers at Penn State and other institutions on the editorial board,” said Van Hook

According to publisher Springer, the open access, bimonthly journal contains the highest quality peer-reviewed research papers covering a broad range of disciplines, including anthropology, biology, economics, geography, history, psychology, public health, sociology and statistics. “It is the preeminent venue for demographers to publish their high-impact, demographic work,” Iceland explained.

It is anticipated that their editorship will bring increased visibility to Penn State’s demography graduate program and the department of sociology and criminology. “We have one of the most respected demography programs in the nation, and I think our appointment reflects this,” Matthews said.

Van Hook, Matthews and Iceland have all previously served on the publication’s editorial board. In their new roles, the three will assemble a team of deputy editors comprised almost entirely of Penn State researchers who will be instrumental in the publication selection process.

Previously, Penn State Distinguished Emeritus Professor of Sociology and Demography Gordon De Jong served as editor of the journal from 1987-1990.