An Academic Advisory Board has been appointed to Demos Helsinki to strengthen the impact of its scientific research activities. In 2023, Demos Research Institute will have 12 ongoing scientific research projects, four of which will also have an interaction role.
The members of the Advisory Board are Professor of Sustainable Design at Aalto University Idil Gaziulusoy, Professor of Gender Studies at the University of Turku Anu Koivunen, Professor of Economic Sociology and Digital Society at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, Vili Lehdonvirta, and Professor of Sustainability Science at the University of Helsinki Christopher Raymond. The Board is chaired by Veikko Eranti. Dr Eranti is an Assistant Professor of Urban Sociology at the University of Helsinki and a Senior Fellow at Demos Helsinki.
As part of Demos Helsinki, the Demos Research Institute is an independent non-profit organisation established in 2016. The importance of scientific research at Demos Helsinki has increased in recent years. There are now eight researchers with PhD’s working on research.
Demos Research Institute researchers have participated in several projects funded by the EU Framework Programmes and the Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland. Research topics include the equity of the green transition, climate action in cities and regions, the impact of technology on society, and new opportunities for democracy and governance.
“Demos Helsinki aims to promote a sustainable and just transition by creating and applying research knowledge in society. Our research aims to be both academically and socially relevant. I hope that the Academic Advisory Board will support us in further establishing DRI’s place in the Finnish and international research ecosystems as a valuable research partner to universities and other research institutions, for which we have deep respect,” says Iina Koskinen, who is responsible for managing the operations of Demos Helsinki’s research.
“The mission of the Academic Advisory Board is very interesting: on the one hand, to develop the effectiveness of research and its focus on the most pressing problems, and on the other hand, to reimagine the structures of research. The best way to fearlessly point the way forward is to be prepared to shape your activities with open-mindedness,” says Assistant Professor Eranti.
The Academic Advisory Board will be a forum for Demos Helsinki to discuss research areas and the research being carried out in them, as well as the development of research activities in the think tank.
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