Life course perspectives in studying youth transitions to adulthood: bridging qualitative and quantitative approaches

Project Information

YouthLife

Grant agreement ID: 952083

DOI

10.3030/952083

Project closed

EC signature date 6 July 2020

Start date 1 January 2021

End date 31 May 2024

Funded under

• Twinning of research institutions

Total cost

€ 892 300,00

EU contribution

€ 892 300,00

Coordinated by

TALLINN UNIVERSITY
Estonia

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - YouthLife (Life course perspectives in studying youth transitions to adulthood: bridging qualitative and quantitative approaches)

Reporting period: 2022-04-01 to 2024-05-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The "Life course perspectives in studying youth transitions to adulthood: bridging qualitative and quantitative approaches" (YouthLife) project, funded by the European Union´s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 952083, was a three-year Twinning programme to tackle the methodological divide between quantitative and qualitative approaches in life course research and advance the use of mixed method research designs.
The YouthLife project aimed to enhance scientific excellence and research potential in life course research on youth transitions by building the capacity of the Centre of Interdisciplinary Life Course Studies (CILCS) at Tallinn University (TLU). This initiative was carried out in cooperation with three internationally leading research institutions with complementary methodological expertise: the University of Bamberg (UNI BA), the University of Southampton (SOUTHAMPTON), and the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (KNAW-NIDI).
The YouthLife project addresses the need for a deeper understanding of youth transitions through life course research. This field examines the various stages and transitions young people undergo as they move from adolescence to adulthood, including education, employment, and family formation. The project specifically targets the integration of qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a comprehensive understanding of these transitions.
Understanding youth transitions is crucial for society as it informs policies and interventions aimed at supporting young people during critical periods of their lives. Insights from life course research can help in designing educational systems, labour market policies, and social services that better cater to the needs of youth, ultimately contributing to their well-being and successful integration into society. By improving research in this area, YouthLife helps in shaping more effective policies and fostering a supportive environment for youth development.
The project aimed to enhance research excellence on youth transitions and build capacity at TLU through a series of Twinning activities. These activities focused on advancing methodologies in life course research and fostering deeper integration into leading youth transition research communities.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The YouthLife project has successfully achieved all its critical objectives on schedule, significantly advancing the field of life course research on youth transitions and enhancing the research capabilities of CILCS at TLU. Over the three-year program, knowledge transfer, experience exchange, and mutual learning were facilitated through intensive training courses, practical workshops, networking events, expert and study visits, and peer-to-peer interactions. The research potential of CILCS at TLU was strengthened by training early-stage researchers (ESRs), expanding cooperation networks, improving research management and administration (RMA) skills among academic and support staff, and developing a scientifically robust research design for the planned Estonian Longitudinal Study of Youth (ELSY). This study aims to address the lack of empirical data on youth transitions to adulthood in Estonia.

Each training course and workshop was accompanied by high-quality training materials that form the legacy of the project. In addition, a dedicated website, Qualimix (https://www.euqualimix.ncrm.ac.uk/) was developed and launched to serve as a resource hub for qualitative and mixed methods approaches during and beyond the project, benefiting researchers even after the project concludes.
Through the active involvement of ESRs from TLU and other partner institutions in training and networking activities, YouthLife has strengthened research potential and contributed to the sustainability of life course research at TLU and its partner institutions.
Furthermore, the project has enhanced the research management and administration (RMA) skills and improved the RMA support system within TLU, thereby increasing its ability to compete successfully for national and international research funding and efficiently manage collaborative research projects.
A series of discussion seminars were organised to initiate conversations on youth transitions to adulthood from a life course perspective by bringing together researchers with diverse methodological backgrounds. Additionally, six methods-oriented podcasts featuring conversations with key experts in the field were prepared, providing insights into conceptual, methodological, and ethical issues to further support the advancement of mixed methods approaches in life course research.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The "Life course perspectives in studying youth transitions to adulthood: bridging qualitative and quantitative approaches" (YouthLife) project, has made significant progress beyond the state of the art by addressing the methodological divide between quantitative and qualitative approaches in life course research. The project's innovative integration of qualitative and quantitative methods has provided a more comprehensive understanding of youth transitions, contributing to the advancement of mixed-method research designs in the field.
YouthLife has significantly strengthened the research capabilities of CILCS at TLU, particularly through the training of early-stage researchers (ESRs), the expansion of cooperation networks, and the enhancement of research management and administration (RMA) skills. These efforts have culminated in the development of the Estonian Longitudinal Study of Youth (ELSY), a scientifically robust research design that addresses the lack of empirical data on youth transitions to adulthood in Estonia. The project's legacy includes high-quality training materials and the Qualimix website, which serves as a valuable resource hub for qualitative and mixed methods approaches, benefiting researchers well beyond the project's duration.
The potential impacts of the YouthLife project are substantial, including socio-economic benefits and wider societal implications. By deepening the understanding of youth transitions, the project informs policies and interventions that support young people during critical periods of their lives. This can lead to the design of more effective educational systems, labor market policies, and social services, ultimately contributing to the well-being and successful integration of youth into society. Additionally, the project's enhancement of RMA skills at TLU increases the institution's capability to secure national and international research funding and manage collaborative projects efficiently. The project's series of discussion seminars and methods-oriented podcasts further support the advancement of mixed methods approaches, fostering a more integrated and comprehensive research community. Through these initiatives, YouthLife not only advances life course research but also promotes a supportive environment for youth development, benefiting society as a whole.

Figure about expected impact of the YouthLife project and Twinning activities contribution

Project´s logo and EU emblem with information on EU funding