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Welcome to the Hugo Centre for Population and Migration Studies at the University of Adelaide.
The Hugo Centre is an international research hub dedicated to addressing the global challenge of population change. Our mission is to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary research on population, migration, and demography issues.
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Honouring Professor Graeme Hugo

Professor Graeme Hugo in his office at the University of Adelaide.
The Hugo Centre is named in honour of the late Professor Graeme Hugo, founding director of the Australian Population and Migration Centre and the National Centre for Social Applications of Geographical Information Systems (GISCA). Graeme was a University Professorial Fellow at the University of Adelaide and held a chair in the Department of Geography, Environment and Population for several decades. During this time, Graeme authored over 400 scholarly works, supervised more than 50 PhD students, and presented to audiences ranging from local school groups to the United Nations. In 2012, Graeme was named an Officer of the Order of Australia for service to population research. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the global advancement of Geography, Graeme was awarded the Association of Geographers' Australian-International Medal in 2014.
Graeme’s spirit of intellectual curiosity and public engagement continues to inspire the research agenda and culture of the Hugo Centre, as evidenced through our services, research, and overarching mission.
2021 Hugo Memorial Lecture: This is Demography Manifest
How do we make sense of a population as spread out and diverse as Australia? For years, we’ve looked to demographers to carve up, label, and stratify the public into groups and categories, in the hope that these overlapping identifiers might help us understand the shape of the nation. Such complex data rarely makes the front page, but can inform policy decisions that affect all of our lives. So how does it all work, and how can demography help us understand contemporary Australia?
In collaboration with the Stretton Institute and Don Dunstan Foundation.
Speakers include: Prof Adam Graycar and The Hon Dr Jane Lomax-Smith AM
This lecture was delivered on Friday 16 July in Bonython Hall as part of the Adelaide Festival of Ideas.
People
Find out more about the researchers and experts behind the Hugo Centre for Population and Housing.
Services
From accessibility/ remoteness and spatial analysis to research and fieldwork, please contact us to find out how we can assist you.
Research and impact
Our research advances basic knowledge and informs public debate and decision making in Australia and around the world.