Research institute
The Institute was established in order to promote research and development actions within the multidisciplinary field of child and youth research. The Institute aims at enhancing dialogue among universities, institutions of applied sciences and regional organizations, but it also seeks to build international contacts within the field.
Background and aims
The planning of the multidisciplinary Institute was launched in the autumn 2005. During the first period the project concentrated on establishing the co-operation network, collecting information on child and youth research projects and mapping the needs within the field.
The broad scope of child and youth research is the best asset of the universities in Turku region, but it also sets challenges. Fragmentation of administrative and operational structures both within the scientific realm and outside the academia, in society as large, is one of the major challenges for child and youth research. The present fragmentation constitutes one of the central motifs for establishing the project. Synergy-based benefits of working together instead of running separate projects without coordination is of major significance for all the member institutions. Through the joint Institute the participating universities seek to create an open meeting forum for representatives of different institutions and areas of study.
Another central motif for the project was the need for child and youth research in the surrounding society. The structural changes that have taken place in the society have set new demands for the scientific research as well. The Institute seeks to meet the needs for fresh perspectives and high-ranking knowledge on children and young people by initiating new projects, preferably with interdisciplinary orientation. The institute aims at allocating resources to areas, where research is particularly needed.
2008
Research
Keys to a Good Childhood
The cohort study "Keys to a Good Childhood" continues and the first babies participating to the study have been born and the families are invited to their first client visit. Read more>>
2007
Turku Institute for Child and Youth Research was officially opened in January 2007. PhD Hanna Lagström was appointed as the Research Director, Kaisa Vehkalahti continued as the co-ordinator. Read more>>