A collaborator par excellence: reflections upon Sue Lewis’ contribution to cross-national research in the work-family field

Abstract

This paper will discuss the development of work-family research in the UK and cross-nationally, and the critical contribution of Suzan Lewis to this field. The first part of the paper focusses on the ways in which, in the context of the growth of dual earner lifestyles in Britain, Suzan's work made a key contribution. A central part of this story is also the collaborative role that Sue played both through initiating projects across universities in the UK but also in carrying out European Union-funded research and more widely, including leading multi-national teams. In particular, two studies will be considered: Young people's views about their future work and family lives (Futures on hold); and Gender, Parenthood and the Changing European Workplace (Transitions). The paper points to some of the key prerequisites necessary for working in cross-national research teams and the conduct of high- quality, qualitative cross-national research, especially studies that address different layers of social context.

Ce papier examinera le développement de la recherche travail-famille tant internationalement que dans la Royaume-Uni, et de la contribution critique de Suzan Lewis à ce domaine. La première partie du papier se concentre sur la façon dont, dans le contexte de la croissance des modes de vie les deux conjoints travaillent en Grande-Bretagne, le travail de Suzan apporté une contribution essentielle. Un élément central de cette histoire est aussi le rôle de collaboration que Sue a joué à la fois par le lancement de projets dans les universités au Royaume-Uni, mais aussi dans la réalisation de la recherche européenne financée par l'Union Européenne et, plus largement, y compris la direction d'équipes multi-nationales. En particulier, deux recherches scientifiques seront examinées: les opinions des jeunes au sujet de leurs obligations professionnelles et familiales vies futures (Futures en attente); et le sexe, parentale et l'emploi transformé en Europe (Transitions). Le papier propose des conditions nécessaires pour travailler dans les équipes de recherche transnationales et la conduite de haute qualité la recherche transnationale qualitative, en particulier les études qui portent sur différentes niveaux de contexte social.

Keywords:

• work-family
• cross-national research

Mots-clés:

• travail-famille
• recherches transnationales

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on Contributors

Julia Brannen, Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences, is Professor of Sociology of the Family at the UCL Institute of Education, London, UK, and Visiting Professor at the University of Bergen. Julia has an international reputation for her work on family life, work–life issues, intergenerational relations and food in families both in Britain and internationally. A founding editor of International Journal of Social Research Methodology that she edited for 17 years, she is well-known for her expertise in mixed methods, biographical approaches and cross-national research.

Ann Nilsen is Professor of Sociology at the University of Bergen, Norway. Her research interests include life course and biographical research, methodology, gender and generations, and life course transitions in an historical perspective. She was Norwegian partner in the EU-funded seven countries study Transitions 2002–2005, and is current PI in a study funded by the Norwegian Research Council Intergenerational Transmissions in the Transition to Adulthood (2013–2016).