Life course analysis aims to understand the causes, processes and consequences of change over the course of life. Human development and aging are seen to involve the interaction of social, psychological and biological processes from birth to death. Research in the life course has been prominent at the University of Toronto but from different disciplines and academic departments. The Institute fosters key linkages among scientists from these perspectives.

Research at the Institute covers several areas:

• work and the life course
• family and the life course
• health and the life course
• learning and human development
• crime and law in the life course
• theory and methodology in life course studies