The role of higher education institutions (HEIs) has expanded from education and research to encompass tasks that can be labeled as a “Third Mission,” aiming to generate direct impacts on society. HEIs are expected to facilitate science-based innovations and spin-off companies. Nevertheless, our society is characterized by the introduction of novelties, some of which transform our lives, while others represent trivial changes. It is increasingly understood that innovations can also pose potential risks and hazards. We are interested in theoretical and empirical work that investigates, for example: Where are the boundaries of scientific knowledge? How and why are science and technology contested in current societies? What are the hoped-for and unforeseen impacts of innovations? Which social environments are conducive to the emergence of innovations?
Keywords: Science, technology, innovation, institutions, higher education, Third Mission
Contact persons: Mika Kautonen and Pia Vuolanto
Researchers: Mika Kautonen, Pia Vuolanto, Yuzhuo Cai, Anna Martikainen, Reetta Muhonen,Elina Mäkinen, Nadja Nordling, Sonja Tiitola
Selected publications
Hokka, Johanna 2024. Science as an ‘ohject of love’. Affective milieus in the neoliberal university. European Journal of Cultural Studies, 27:5, 895-911.
Hokka, Johanna 2023. Emotional distance, detachment, compassion and care. The affective milieu of academic management in the neoliberal university. The Sociological Review, 7:6, 1322-1340.
Hokka, Johanna, Kurtti, Elisa, Olsson, Pia & Suopajärvi, Tiina 2024. The gendered affective economy of funding. Conflicting realities of university leaders and researchers in Finnish academia. Teoksessa Acker, Sandra, Ylijoki, Oili-Helena & McGinn, Michelle K. (toim.) The Social Production of Research. Perspectives on Funding and Gender. London: Routledge.
Ylijoki, Oili-Helena 2024. Funding journeys in health technology in Finland: The atypical stories of Sara and Heidi. Teoksessa Acker, Sandra, Ylijoki, Oili-Helena & McGinn, Michelle K. (toim.) The Social Production of Research. Perspectives on Funding and Gender. London: Routledge.
Ylijoki, Oili-Helena, Hokka, Johanna, Kurtti, Elisa, Olsson, Pia & Suopajärvi, Pia 2024. Tiede ja tunteet. Tutkimustyön arki ja arvot kilpailuyliopistossa. Helsinki: Gaudeamus.
Albert, M., Vuolanto, P., & Laberge, S. (2023). Re-appraising disciplines: a commentary. Studies in Higher Education, 48(3), 413-423.