Research group

SIVISOTE – Development of Child and Family Services and Management

Lapsi aikuisen sylissä.

We are implementing the obligations of the social and health care reform through digital solutions. We are developing integrative service structures and concepts for social services, health, education and training, as well as future management models.

Our research group focuses on the joint development of child and family services at the boundaries and interfaces of education, early childhood education and social and health care organisations.

What we research and develop

  • We promote the well-being and inclusion of children, young people and families, good parenting and a smooth everyday life.
  • We pay attention to the identification of child abuse and the specific need for child protection.
  • We are developing new service structures and concepts that support the integration of child and family services and multidisciplinary, seamless cooperation.
  • We improve the availability and accessibility of child and family services by developing innovative digital solutions.
  • We focus on practical measures and solutions that can be implemented in practice and have a significant impact on the development of social, health, education and training services.

Degree programmes

The research group aims for social impact

Joint project to develop expertise in demanding foster care

Our Experts

The SIVISOTE research group is a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary group of experts, including teachers, researchers, student assistants, research group students, students from higher education and vocational education and training institutions, and partners from the world of work. The mission of the research group is to be a key player in regional, national and international innovation.

  • Tuuli Lahti

    Principal Lecturer, Degree Programme Leader
    +358 44 907 5471
    tuuli.lahti@turkuamk.fi
  • Sanna-Maria Nurmi

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 50 598 5450
    sanna-maria.nurmi@turkuamk.fi
  • Ritva Laaksonen-Heikkilä

    Principal Lecturer
    +358 44 907 5477
    ritva.laaksonen-heikkila@turkuamk.fi
  • Nasrin Jinia

    Lecturer (Main occupation), Senior Lecturer
    +358 50 570 9359
    nasrin.jinia@turkuamk.fi
  • Minna Salakari

    Senior Lecturer, Project Manager
    +358 50 598 5420
    minna.salakari@turkuamk.fi
  • Marjo Harju

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 40 355 0507
    marjo.harju@turkuamk.fi
  • Laura Harikkala

    Advisor, RDI Coordinator
    +358 40 355 0437
    laura.harikkala@turkuamk.fi
  • Kristiina Engblom-Pelkkala

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 50 476 5290
    kristiina.engblom-pelkkala@turkuamk.fi
  • Eeva Timonen-Kallio

    Principal Lecturer, Research Group Leader
    +358 44 907 4546
    eeva.timonen-kallio@turkuamk.fi
  • Britt-Marie Haahti

    Project Advisor, Project Manager|Controller \ Controller
    +358 50 598 5662
    britt-marie.haahti@turkuamk.fi
  • Anu Vaihekoski

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 44 907 5459
    anu.vaihekoski@turkuamk.fi
  • Anssi Lähde

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 44 907 2075
    anssi.lahde@turkuamk.fi

National network:

  • Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
  • National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL)
  • Wellbeing county of Southwest Finland (Varha)
  • Vasso – Centre of Excellence in Social Work in Southwest Finland
  • Future Research and Skills Advisory Board
  • Finnish National Board of Education
  • Polytechnic and university networks
  • Federation of First Aid and Shelters
  • Parishes

International network:

  • MRU-Romanis Mykolos University
  • University of Oviedo’
  • University of Kassel

International social and health actors:

  • EUSARF – European Scientific Association On Residential And Family Care For Children And Adolescents
  • FESET – European Association of Training Centres for Socio-Educational Care Work
  • TRC – Therapeutic Residential Care Experts Network

The Turku University of Applied Sciences Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.