Katarina Alanko,
Ph.D.,
Adjunct professor,
Principal investigator,

katarina.alanko(at)abo.fi

Johan Strömbeck,
Ph.D. student,

johan.strombeck(at)abo.fi

Tiina Laurén-Knuutila

PhD, Master of education, Special Class Teacher, Specialist in School Welfare

tiina-reetta.lauren-knuutila@abo.fi

I have worked as a special education teacher in Turku since 2001. I became interested in school attendance problems in 2018 when I started to work in the hospital school of Turku, Kiinamyllyn koulu. Helping children and young people is close to my heart, but I also see great value and incredible opportunities in supporting their families  and developing inter-professional collaboration and services for the families. I am also interested in promoting research-based education and a holistic rehabilitation approach, from the youth and parent perspectives. I am interested in factors and root causes behind the school attendance problems and school absenteeism, as well as the factors supporting return to school and the re-integration process, participation, resilience and coping.