My name is Isabel Giacomini, and I am a PhD candidate in the Public Health Nutrition Graduate Programme at the University of São Paulo, Brazil. My research focuses on exploring the determinants of health and well-being, particularly those rooted in childhood and passed through generations. I'm deeply motivated to learn longitudinal data analysis techniques, as they provide crucial insights to identify patterns and inequalities in health and growth trajectories.
In July 2024, I had the opportunity to attend the 3rd COORDINATE Summer School, entitled 'Introduction to Life Course Research and Sequence Analysis - Exploring Youth Trajectories with the Catalan Youth Survey Dataset'. The course, held at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, and organised by the Slovenian Social Science Data Archives at the University of Ljubljana, focused on learning and applying methods for analysing trajectories through sequence analysis. It covered key modules such as the life course perspective, longitudinal methods, data analysis techniques, sequence analysis and sequence typologies.
It was undoubtedly a valuable experience for my professional development as a researcher. Complex longitudinal data require advanced analytical tools, such as sequence analysis methods. The course not only introduced these fundamental concepts but also provided hands-on training using the R package TraMineR. Learning how to apply these techniques to real-life data, such as the Catalan Youth Survey, demonstrated the practical value of these methods and the insights they provide into youth trajectories. The teachers and instructors guided us smoothly throughout the course, demonstrating incredible expertise and patience.
Moreover, by fostering interaction with professionals from diverse backgrounds and enhancing both technical skills and knowledge, I believe that attending this prestigious course has been instrumental in advancing my professional goals, particularly in pursuing an academic career in Public Health Nutrition. The interdisciplinary environment encouraged lively discussions and networking opportunities. Engaging with fellow researchers from different fields gave me new perspectives on how life course research can be applied in different contexts, including public health, education and social policy.
Barcelona provided the perfect setting for this experience. In my free time, I enjoyed its vibrant cultural scene, visiting museums, and soaking in the city's lively urban atmosphere.
Isabel Giacomini
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