Research Interests
1. Research focus
I study why people experience different labour-market outcomes over their lives, focusing on how education, health and health behaviours shape employment, earnings and working careers. My research uses economic analysis to understand these links and their implications for individuals and society. I am Professor of Economics at the Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics.
2. Expertise areas
Labour economics · Human capital and education · Health and labour-market outcomes
3. Current projects and external collaboration
My current research examines the links between health, education, human capital and labour-market outcomes across the life course. My research has received external funding from the Research Council of Finland, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, the Finnish Government, Palkansaajarahasto, and the OP Research Foundation, among others.
My research is characterised by broad and long-standing interdisciplinary collaboration. I have worked closely with colleagues across several fields, including economic history, medicine and psychology, combining perspectives from different disciplines to study education, health, human capital and labour-market outcomes.
My links with business and society extend beyond research projects. I currently serve as Chair of the Board of OP Osuuskunta and Chair of the Board of EduCluster Finland. My previous board positions include Jyväskylän Messut and Keski-Suomen Osuuspankki, where I served as Chair of the Board.
4. Selected research and societal engagement
I have published more than 80 articles in international academic journals. My recent research addresses topics such as childhood adiposity and later labour-market outcomes, educational attainment and adult socioeconomic status, physical activity and labour-market outcomes, and the effects of job loss on families.
In addition to academic publications, I have contributed to policy-oriented research and public discussion through articles and reports published in the Finnish Economic Journal, Labour Policy Review, and Administrative Studies, Prime Minister’s Office publications.
My experience in board and governance positions complements my academic work and provides a direct connection to business and organisational decision-making.
5. Collaboration and contact
I welcome research collaboration with researchers, companies, public organisations and policymakers, including interdisciplinary research that brings together economics and other fields. My main areas of interest are labour markets, human capital and education, and the links between health and working careers.
Email: jaakko.k.pehkonen@jyu.fi
