Research Themes
The research area of the INVEST Research Flagship Centre covers the study fields of sociology, social policy, psychology, child psychiatry, social work, statistics, economics and epidemiology at the University of Turku and the Finnish institute for health and welfare. INVEST research is organised around five research themes headed by research area directors.
The thematic areas are not intended to be exclusive, and usually an individual study will overlap with more than one theme at a time. Each of the thematic themes is linked with interventions that already exist or are being developed.
Currently, we have 50 on-going projects and our research groups are directed by 24 principal investigators. INVEST researchers are listed here.
Our Research Themes
Socioeconomic and intergenerational inequalities
The research under this theme covers causes and consequences of changing socioeconomic inequalities, subjective wellbeing, and intergenerational inequalities. We examine how the welfare state, in terms of benefits, services, policies and institutions, influences different types of inequalities. Our goal is to clarify the mechanisms influencing socioeconomic inequalities within and between countries as well as the perpetuation of inequalities across generations. We study both social and biological (genetic) pathways as well as their interplay.
Research Area Director: Professor Elina Kilpi-Jakonen
Demographic changes and family dynamics
Our demographic landscape is shifting with growing migrant populations, rising family instability, and declining fertility accelerating population ageing, impacting societal sustainability. Demographic processes are tied to social and economic inequalities, shaping (dis)advantages across life courses and generations. We seek to identify the causes, consequences, and policy responses to these changes.
Research area director: Professor, Consortium Director Marika Jalovaara
Child and adolescent psychosocial well-being and mental health
The psychosocial well-being of children and adolescents is examined from the perspective of risk and protective factors, exploring, for example, the influences of family, peer relations, and the broader society. Mental health research focuses on both epidemiological and intervention studies. These studies investigate the prevalence of psychological disorders in children and adolescents, the factors influencing them, and the effectiveness of programs designed to prevent or mitigate symptoms.
Research area director: Professor Kirsi Peltonen
Education, skills and learning
Research area director: Professor Johanna Kaakinen
Public health and health equity
Research area director: Professor André Sourander