Laura Bernardi

Laura Bernardi is a Professor at the LIVES Centre (National Centre of Competence in Research on Vulnerable Populations through the Life Course) at the University of Lausanne, Switzerland. She works from the Geopolis Building in Lausanne and is actively engaged in research on life course sociology, family dynamics, and social inequalities.

Her research focuses on family sociology and life course studies, with particular emphasis on family transitions, post-separation arrangements, child well-being, and mental health across different life stages. Bernardi examines how social policies impact family dynamics, with special attention to childcare arrangements, shared physical custody, and the effects of economic conditions on family wellbeing.

Her recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on the intersection of family dynamics and vulnerability across the life course. She employs both quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze family transitions, with particular attention to how critical life events accumulate and affect wellbeing. Her work often incorporates cross-national comparisons, especially within European contexts, and examines how different welfare state arrangements shape family experiences.

Bernardi is actively involved in the LIVES research network, contributing to the understanding of how vulnerability processes unfold across the life course. Her work frequently addresses policy implications, particularly regarding family support systems and interventions that might mitigate vulnerability during critical life transitions.