Anu Tourunen

My academic journey, rooted in a fascination with the interplay between mind, body, and social interaction, has led me to groundbreaking research in the field of interpersonal synchrony. During my PhD at the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), I focused on the under-explored area of physiological synchrony in multi-person therapy settings. My pioneering work in analyzing sympathetic nervous system synchrony among couple therapy participants has filled a crucial research gap and inspired applications across various studies of interpersonal synchrony. This work earned my PhD dissertation the highest top 10% rating and a nomination for a "Good Dissertation" award, marking it as the year's best in the Faculty of Education and Psychology.

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I hold a broad interest in nonverbal attunement and emotional co-regulation. My curiosity extends beyond clinical contexts, encompassing interest in understanding the dynamics of synchrony in romantic partnerships and child-adult relationships. My research has gained international recognition, evident from interviews and appearances on Finnish Broadcasting Company's (Yle) Morning News, as well as invited lectures at prominent institutions like the University of Oxford (UK) and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (Netherlands). My academic collaborations and travels have spanned Greece, Germany, and the Czech Republic, reflecting a commitment to international research partnerships and knowledge dissemination. I am one of the founding members of the Embodied Eureka Research Collegium.

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I have an editorial role as a Review Editor of Frontiers in Psychology (Psychology for Clinical Settings). I am also a verified reviewer for the following journals: Scientific Reports – Nature, Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy, Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, and Sexual and Relationship Therapy.

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At the heart of my work is a dedication to bridging disciplines and approaches to deepen our understanding of the nuanced relationships between psychological processes, physiological responses, and social interactions, in various relational contexts.