Torben Bechmann Jensen

Torben Bechmann Jensen is an Associate Professor in Social Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, where he has been employed since 2004. His academic career began with a Cand. Psych. degree in 1992 followed by a Ph.D. in 2000, both from the University of Copenhagen. He previously served as Assistant Professor at the same institution from 2001-2004. He coordinates the Center of Applied and Theoretical Social Psychology (CATS) and is a member of the Centre for Information and Bubble Studies (CIBS), which is funded by the Carlsberg Foundation with a total grant of approximately DKK 40 million.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Psychology, University of Copenhagen (2000)
• Cand. Psych. (Masters equivalent), University of Copenhagen (1992)

Torben Bechmann Jensen's research spans multiple areas of social psychology with a particular focus on marginalized groups and social transitions. His primary research interests include youth studies, marginalization processes, prostitution, loneliness, transitions from education to the labor market, tobacco smoking, substance abuse, social relations, health campaigns, and HIV/AIDS. His work employs qualitative research methodologies to understand how social forms of interaction impact individuals across different life stages and social contexts. He has extensively studied ethnic minority youth, examining how they navigate between family expectations and individualization in late modern European society.

His recent publications demonstrate a consistent focus on youth transitions, mental health services, and the impact of digital communication on counseling practices. There's a clear trajectory toward examining how social structures affect individual experiences, particularly among vulnerable populations. His work bridges theoretical social psychology with practical applications in health promotion, counseling services, and educational policy.

Key Contributions:

• Coordinator of the Research Group CATS (Center of Applied and Theoretical Social Psychology) since 2014
• Member of the Centre for Information and Bubble Studies (CIBS), funded by the Carlsberg Foundation (2015-2020)
• Member of the Advisory Board for "Værket" project combating loneliness among adults (2015-)
• Editorial board member for multiple academic journals including "Nordiske Udkast" and "Journal of Critical Social Science"

As an advisor, Jensen has supervised five PhD students through completion, focusing on topics ranging from Vietnamese narratives in the Danish healthcare system to dual diagnosis treatment in psychiatric care. His grant portfolio includes significant European Commission funding through FP6 and FP7 frameworks, including the "Up2Youth" project (€6 million) examining youth as agents of social change across 17 European countries. He has also secured national funding from the Danish Health Authority for telephone counseling research.

Jensen is actively involved with the Centre for Information and Bubble Studies (CIBS), which brings together philosophy, economics, mathematics, and social psychology to understand information bubbles. His work with CATS focuses on applied social psychology research addressing contemporary social challenges. He is also developing the "Dignity in Everyday Life" project, which examines how dignity in social interactions impacts well-being in Danish society.