Dr  Pragati Ubale

International Institute for Population Sciences, Mumbai
pr************@gmail.com
+91 892****281

Academic Qualification

MSc in Population Studies
MPhil in Population Studies
PhD in Population Studies

Position held

1. Senior Research Officer at International Institutr for Population Sciences, Mumbai
2. Research Associate at Young Lives India, Delhi
3. Senior Research Fellow, International Institutr for Population Sciences, Mumbai

Publications

1. Singh, R., Saberwal, R., Mukherjee, P., Ubale, P., What Drives Changes in Child Labour and Schooling? Evidence from an exploratory study among children of the Musahar community in Vaishali, Bihar, India, Young Lives India and UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, New Delhi and Florence, May 2025. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/11216/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-Child-Labour-Bihar-Report-2025.pdf (Report)

2. Singh, R., Saberwal, R., Mukherjee, P., Ubale, P., What Drives Changes in Child Labour and Schooling? Evidence from an exploratory study among adolescents in Vikarabad, Telangana, India, Young Lives India and UNICEF Innocenti – Global Office of Research and Foresight, New Delhi and Florence, May 2025. https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/media/11226/file/UNICEF-Innocenti-Child-Labour-Telangana-Report-2025.pdf (Report)

3. Ubale, P. D., Mishra, P., Aditi, Acharya, R., & Sekher, T. V. (2025). Impact of digital exposure on premarital sex and contraception use among unmarried Indian youth. Contraception and Reproductive Medicine, 10(1), 3. 10.1186/s40834-024-00334-3

4. Ubale, P. D., & Sekher, T. V. (2023). Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Unmarried Youth in India: Evidences from National Family Health Survey, 2019–21. In Handbook of Youth Development: Policies and Perspectives from India and Beyond (pp. 413-439). Singapore: Springer Nature Singapore. 10.1007/978-981-99-4969-4_24

5. Jungari, S., Chauhan, B. G., & Ubale, P. (2023). Intimate Partner Violence Driven Fatal Injuries among Women in India: Empirical Evidence from National Family Health Survey 2015-2016. Social Science Spectrum, 5(4), 13-22. https://socialspectrum.in/index.php/sp/article/download/209/182

Experience

With a Ph.D. in Population Studies and over six years of dedicated research experience, my specialty lies at the intersection of gender, youth sexuality, and migration dynamics. I have developed particular expertise in examining pre-marital relationships and mate selection patterns among urban educated youth, while simultaneously leading significant research on migration flows and their demographic implications. My work extends to maternal and child health, where I've investigated critical issues ranging from maternal morbidity to abortion care-seeking behavior. This comprehensive background enables me to approach population studies through multiple lenses - combining quantitative analysis of large-scale surveys with rich qualitative insights from field interviews, ultimately contributing to evidence-based policy formulation in India's demographic landscape.

Area of Specialization

Gender and Sexuality Studies: Specialised research on pre-marital relationships, dating behaviours, mate selection, and sexual health among youth, with a focus on evolving social norms and their policy implications.

Migration and Urban Demography: Expertise in migration patterns, urban population dynamics, and the socio-economic determinants and consequences of population mobility, particularly in urban contexts like Mumbai.

Maternal and Child Health: In-depth study of maternal morbidity, mortality, abortion-related behaviours, and child health and labour issues, leveraging national datasets and field research to inform public health strategies.

Reproductive Health and Family Dynamics: Research on contraception use, fertility behaviours, and the changing institutions of marriage and family, including investigations into live-in relationships and women's rights.

Mixed-Methods Research: Advanced proficiency in integrating quantitative and qualitative methodologies—from large-scale survey design and statistical analysis to in-depth interviews and focus groups—to generate comprehensive, evidence-based insights.

Membership of other Professional Associations

British Society for Population Studies

I am a dedicated Ph.D. Demographer with a profound commitment to advancing knowledge in population studies. My research passionately explores the dynamics of gender, youth sexuality, and migration. I have extensive experience leading the entire research lifecycle for major projects, from initial design and field data collection to analysis and dissemination. My work aims to directly inform public health policy and social programs. I excel at translating complex evidence into actionable insights through reports, policy briefs, and presentations, effectively communicating findings to government bodies, NGOs, and international stakeholders to drive meaningful change.