Research in Sociology

Our sociologists have multifaceted expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methods. Our research is also characterised by a strong theoretical orientation. We are actively involved in national and international research networks, and interact with society. 

Sociology at the University of Turku focuses on the following research areas:

Politics: We study political imagination and utopias, social movements, social theory and politics of knowledge, polarisation and political economy.

Social inequality: We examine inequalities related to class, gender and race/ethnicity, inequality related to appearance, inequality of education and intergenerational transmittance of inequality.

Gender: Our research addresses educational and occupational gender segregation, gender identities, the relationship between appearance and gender, and feminist politics and theory.

Health and wellbeing: We study health policy, welfare state, health-related expertise and contestation, and therapeutic culture.

Work: Our research focuses on gendered divisions in the labour market and the changing concepts and structures of work in sustainability transformation.

Culture: We are interested in questions of consumption, lifestyle, social norms, agency, trauma and experientiality.

Ongoing Research Projects

The emergence of Municipal-Led Green Financilization of Urban Development in Sweden: An Inquiry of a New Form of Urban Entrepreneurialism

Funded by FORMAS (Forskningsrådet for miljö, areella näringar och samhällsbyggande, 2024-2025), PI Özlem Celik

Housing, social inclusion and land values on the urban waterfront

Funded by Turku Urban Research Programme, PI Hannu Ruonavaara / Aleksi Karhula

Hoivavaje: Sosiaalinen uusintaminen ja kotitalouksien arki vetäytyvässä hyvinvointivaltiossa

Funded by Kone Foundation (2024.2028), PI Emma Lamberg

Smart land use policy for sustainable urbanization

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Hannu Ruonavaara / Aleksi Jalovaara, web site: https://smartland.fi/

Youth in Polycrisis

Funded by Kone Foundation (2025-2028), PI Johanna Nurmi

Completed research projects

Children of immigrants, language and integration across Europe

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Elina Kilpi-Jakonen

Falling fertility and the inequalities involved

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Marika Jalovaara, web site: https://sites.utu.fi/nefer/ 

Economic burden of medicines on households: Decommodification and recommodification

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Katri Aaltonen

Intergenerational relations: from single discipline paradigm towards interdisciplinarity

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Mirkka Danielsbacka

Kin relations across generations and over the life course

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Antti Tanskanen

Life course transitions and living arrangements: migrant and non-migrant families in Russia, Estonia and Finland

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Leen Rahnu

Perinatal health and transition to adulthood

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Jani Erola

Political imagination and alternative futures

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Suvi Salmenniemi, web site: https://polima.fi/

Post-fossile work life: Ecologically and socially sustainable work in the age of ecocrisis

Funded by the the Finnish Work Environment Fund, PI Suvi Salmenniemi, web site: https//:sites.utu.fi/pofotyo/

The role of the language spoken at home in the integration process of immigrants and their children

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Elina Kilpi-Jakonen

The social mechanisms behind the economic consequences of physical appearance

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Outi Sarpila, web site: https://soma.utu.fi/

Towards well-informed decisions: Predicting long-term effects of policy reforms on life trajectories

Funded by the Academy of Finland, PI Satu Helske, web site: https://sites.utu.fi/predlife/

Publications

Sosiaaliturva (2025)

Aaltonen, Katri; Korpela, Tuija; Mikkola, Hennamari; Mukkila, Susanna; Ollonqvist, Joons; Saikkonen, Paula
(B2 Non-refereed book chapter or chapter in a compilation book)
View all Sociology publications in Research Portal
Keywords
Sociology