André Berchtold

André Berchtold is an Associate Professor at the LIVES Centre, University of Lausanne, located in the Geopolis Building in Lausanne, Switzerland. His research focuses on life course analysis, public health, adolescent behavior, and substance use.

Dr. Berchtold's research interests span several key areas including Life Course Analysis, Public Health, Adolescent Behavior, Substance Use, Palliative Care, Vulnerability Studies, and Sequence Analysis. His work employs sophisticated methodological approaches to understand how various factors influence human development and health outcomes across the lifespan. He has made significant contributions to understanding vulnerability processes and how they interact with individual reserves and resources.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on adolescent and young adult health behaviors, particularly regarding substance use initiation patterns, alcohol consumption, and digital media behaviors. He has also contributed important research on palliative care patients' quality of life and meaning in life. Methodologically, Dr. Berchtold specializes in sequence analysis and life course data collection techniques, particularly through life history calendars.

His research has been published in high-impact journals including BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care and BMC Public Health, with recent work examining tobacco, nicotine, and cannabis use initiation patterns in Swiss adolescents using sequence analysis approaches.

As a member of the LIVES Centre at the University of Lausanne, Dr. Berchtold contributes to interdisciplinary research on vulnerability and resilience across the life course. His work bridges multiple disciplines including sociology, public health, psychology, and methodology development for longitudinal research.