Daniela V. Chávez is a Chilean sociologist currently working as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Psychology at the INVEST Research Flagship Centre, University of Turku, Finland. She studied a Master of Science in Behavioural and Social Sciences in the Department of Sociology at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. In 2024, she completed a PhD in Psychology under a cotutelle agreement between the University of Turku and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, where examined the role of peer acceptance and rejection in the development of prosocial behavior during adolescence.

Research interests focus on understanding adolescent social dynamics and behavioral development and change. She is particularly interested in how peer status—expressed through acceptance (likeability), rejection (dislikeability), and popularity—shapes adolescents’ behaviors and social relationships. Using longitudinal and social network analyses, she studies the processes through which adolescents influence one another, aiming to identify the factors that foster positive behaviors such as prosociality and kindness, while reducing bullying and aggressive behaviors within peer groups.

She is currently teaching the autumn course "Statistical Social Research I" for master and Phd students from INVEST research flagship on Inequalities, Interventions, and New Welfare State.