Jani Turunen

Jani Turunen is a Senior Lecturer at Södertörn University, where he teaches in the Social Work programme and Police Education Programme. His research focuses on family demography, family sociology, and the well-being of children in diverse family structures, particularly in contexts of divorce and separation. He currently leads the Forte-funded project on 'Shared Physical Custody in Sweden,' examining this evolving family form's stability, determinants, and outcomes. His work integrates demographic analysis with sociological perspectives to address contemporary family dynamics.

Dr. Turunen's research interests center on family structure, children’s well-being in non-traditional households, and stepfamily dynamics. His doctoral research explored stepfamily formation and children’s well-being in Sweden, contributing to understanding how family transitions impact child outcomes. He has also investigated geographical distance between parents and children post-divorce, sleep patterns in separated families, and cross-cultural comparisons of custody arrangements in welfare states like Spain and Sweden.

Recent studies highlight his focus on late-life divorce, housing changes among older adults, and the economic implications of remigration. He has collaborated with institutions like the Stockholm University Demography Unit (SUDA), contributing to demographic studies on marital dissolution, childlessness in China, and the socioeconomic gradients of custody practices.

His publications span journals and edited volumes, addressing themes such as shared custody effects, family sociology perspectives on alternating homes, and the demographic transition in Northern Sweden. While currently not engaged in active projects, his work underscores the intersection of family structure, policy, and child welfare in modern societies.