INVEST visitor: Julie Blake

In the “INVEST visitors” series, we present visiting professors and fellows who have arrived at the flagship INVEST. This time we are introducing Julie Blake.

My name is Julie Blake, I’m a postdoctoral researcher at the Child Health Research Centre, University of Queensland, Australia. My background is in epidemiology and mental health, and my research focuses on understanding how childhood and family experiences shape mental health across the life course.

My core research area examines domestic and family violence, with a particular focus on children’s experiences of domestic violence, coercive control and post-separation abuse. Beyond this, I am involved in a range of collaborative and interesting projects on various topics related to child and youth mental health.

I have been fascinated by Finland since I was a child and have been fortunate enough to make friends in Finland as an adult, whom I have visited twice before. After meeting Professor André Sourander during his recent visit to our research group in Australia, I was inspired to return to Turku to learn more about the innovative work being done at INVEST.

I’m particularly eager to understand how Finland’s rich population data is used to improve social equality the wellbeing of children and families.

During my visit, I hope to build new research connections and identify opportunities for collaboration between Australia and Finland on topics related to child and youth mental health and domestic violence.

I’m also looking forward to exchanging ideas, learning from colleagues, and deepening my understanding of different research methodologies, as well as how the research here is informing real-world change and how it could be used in the Australian context.

I have been here only a few days but can already sense that I will not want to leave once the time comes!

Welcome to INVEST Julie!