VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko,...
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Transcript of VARIETIES OF THE THIRD MISSION: University-Society Interaction in Three Research Areas Terhi Esko,...
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
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)
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
Three casesThree cases
Urban studies
Finno-Ugric studies
Research on learning difficulties (Niilo Mäki Institute)
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…
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
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
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
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