Julia Brannen is Professor of the sociology of the family at UCL Institute of Education and a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences. With an international reputation for research on the lives of parents, children and young people in families, including work-family life, relations between the generations and food in families, she is well known for her methodological expertise, in particular for advancing mixed methods approaches.

''Well-known for the path-breaking methods and analytical sophistication of her work, Julia Brannen offers insightful reflections on a remarkable career in sociological research on families that are instructive and engaging.'' Graham Crow, University of Edinburgh

• Beginnings and biography The research environment Mothers and the labour market Inside the householdA generational lens on families and fathersChildren and young people in familiesFamilies through the lens of foodLife stories: Biographical and narrative analysisIn conclusion