VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko,...

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VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Research Areas Terhi Esko, University of Helsinki Teollisuuskatu 23 00014 University of Helsinki [email protected] ESA Conference Geneva 10.9.2011

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Page 1: VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko, University of Helsinki Teollisuuskatu 23 00014 University.

VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three University-Society Interaction in Three Research AreasResearch Areas

Terhi Esko, University of HelsinkiTeollisuuskatu 2300014 University of [email protected]

ESA Conference Geneva 10.9.2011

Page 2: VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko, University of Helsinki Teollisuuskatu 23 00014 University.

Project group (2011-)Project group (2011-)

Juha Tuunainen, Helsinki Institute of Science and Technology Studies (HIST)

Reijo Miettinen, Center for Research on Activity, Development and Learning (CRADLE)

Terhi Esko, Network for Higher Education and Innovation Research (HEINE)

Kaija Hartikainen, Faculty of Arts, University of Helsinki

Cooperation: 1) Georg Krücken (Kassel), 2) Uwe Schimank (Bremen) ja 3) Nicole Schultze (Fraunhofer Institut, Karlsruhe)

Page 3: VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko, University of Helsinki Teollisuuskatu 23 00014 University.

BackgroundBackground

Policy context: third mission of universities and social impact of university research

Bayh-Dole Act (USA 1980): commercialization of research results (patents, licencing, spin off companies)

theoretizations: Mode 2, postacademic science, triple helix etc.

Empirical research on the third mission is narrow and scarce

Great variance between disciplines: patenting central only in some disciplines, mainly pharmaceuticals

Attention on technical sciences rather than on humanities and social sciences

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Three casesThree cases

Urban studies

Finno-Ugric studies

Research on learning difficulties (Niilo Mäki Institute)

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Research questions & dataResearch questions & data

Research questions:◦ What are the societal developments and problems

that are interlinked with the analyzed research activities?

◦ What are the forms and means of interaction between university research and other societal stakeholders in the analyzed disciplines?

◦ What are the societal impacts of research in these cases?

Data:◦ 25 interviews◦ documents– scientific publications, reports, theses,

research plans, administrative documents, web pages, news…

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Urban studiesUrban studies

Efforts to improve the Peltosaari suburb since the 1990s A joint project in 2008 combining different actors Institutionalization of urban studies in university

settings New research course for students (a part of a project on

energy efficient building) International starting point: comprehensive approach

instead of the technical-economic approach → Peltosaari as a part of Helsinki metropolitan area, planning and realization of the area, viewpoints of the residents and city officials

Results: a thorough report on the socio-economic situation in the area→ support for a radical renewal of the area → renovation and building new houses, relocation of rental apartments

Research course was developed further: students’ working skills and knowledge on research improved

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Finno-Ugric studiesFinno-Ugric studies

Supporting small cultures and languages (National Kindered Peoples Programme 1994-)

Forms of societal interaction: training, learning materials, publications, museum collections, exchange of researchers...

Language nests and revitalization of minority languages: in Inari (1997-) and Uhtua (1999-), civic organizations as initiators, double role of researchers: researcher/activist→ great differences in the outcomes of two language nests: success in Inari but not in Russia

Preconditions for the impact and institutionalization of language nests:

◦ professional language teachers, ◦ connection to the school system, ◦ support from the local administration Scientific result: reverse language shift in Inari Sami

language

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Research on learning difficultiesResearch on learning difficulties

Niilo Mäki Institute (1990-) important actor in research on learning difficulties and in prevention of these difficulties

Forms of interaction: child rehabilitation clinic, publications, diagnostic tests, learning material, training for professionals, expertise on matters of learning, Internet-based learning environment (games, tests, information), developmental cooperation in Africa

University of Jyväskylä had a centre of excellence in research (1997-2005) where a game for learning to read was developed → this game was tested and then distributed in a project by the Finnish Board of Education (2004-06)

Scientific and practical results: Ekapeli/Graphogame is efficient and motivates children to master the letter-sound connections and eventually helps children to read→ LukiMat-project (2007-09): web-based service for learning difficulties in reading and mathematics

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Case Societal developments

Forms and means of interaction

Societal impact

Finno-Ugric languages

Extinction of small languages and the resultant cultural impoverishment  

Traditional:-scientific exploration and correspondent networks-training and education of academics and other professionals-exchange of literature-publications, museum collections-associations (e.g., Finno-Ugric Society) New:-national action programme (Kindred Peoples Program)-language nests

- successful revitalization of Inari Sami language

- institutionalization of Inari Sami language in the Finnish educational system

Urban studies

 

Concentration of social problems in urban suburbs

Traditional:-training and education-publications-joint organizations (e.g., advisory board for urban studies) New:-joint professorships-research course for students (the Peltosaari project) with a report and seminars-think-tanks and consultancies mediating research with regional development and policy-making

- providing a wider societal perspective in the planning and renewal of urban suburbs

- development of the working skills of the students involved in the research course

Learning difficulties

 

Learning difficulties as a challenge for universal education, equality and knowledge-society development

Traditional:-consultation-co-development of diagnostic tools-research clinic for children-learning materials, guides and textbooks -further education for professionals-expertise in special education policy making New:-LukiMat Internet-environment-Graphogame-developmental co-operation with Kenya and Zambia

- providing means for the Finnish special policy and professional practice based on early recognition of learning difficulties and immediate intervention

- remedying individual learning difficulties in reading, writing and mathematics

- exceptionally low percentage of weak readers in PISA tests