University of Jyväskylä receives €2.4 million in strategic research funding

Five consortia were granted funding in the SRC programme Skills, Labour Supply and Migration in Future Finland (SKILLS). The research to be conducted within the programme examines ways and means to ensure a favourable development in Finnish society by securing a sufficient supply of labour and skills in the future. A total of eleven different research fields and 16 organisations are represented in the SKILLS consortia.

Four three-year projects at the University of Jyväskylä received funding totaling over €2 million.

A consortium led by Taina Saarinen, Research Professor at the University of Jyväskylä, is investigating the immigration system and its labor market relevance. What is the capacity of the immigration system to integrate migrants into the Finnish value systems in a sustainable and equitable way, and how can this system be improved? The University of Jyväskylä's share of the funding is approximately €782,500.

Professor Sakari Taipale's project is part of a consortium led by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health. The project explores the reasons behind serious labor shortages and high turnover in health and social care, and how citizen- and employee-driven bottom-up innovations, and organizational, AI-based and policy-driven top-down innovations could alleviate the care crisis. The project received approximately €450,000 in funding.

Professor Nathan Lillie investigates technological transformation, AI and migrant skills in the Finnish labour market. The project takes Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) as a point of departure to the dual challenge of chronic labour deficit in critical sectors, such as healthcare, and a mismatch between the supply of skills of workers and market demands. The project's objectives are as follows: advancing diversity and inclusion, developing AI-driven solutions, and generating sector-specific insights. The project received approximately €460,000 in funding.

Professor Ari Huhta's project investigates democratizing the teaching and learning of Finnish. For thousands of adults who move to Finland every year, learning Finnish is crucial for successful integration into the working and social life. Traditional language instruction cannot adapt to each learner's individual needs. The project uses cutting-edge AI to provide personalized, flexible language teaching. Automating tasks such as generating relevant exercises and instant feedback enables teachers to focus on guiding and motivating students. The project received approximately €390,000 in funding. The consortium is led by the University of Helsinki.

Economy and Welfare in an Era of Strategic Competition

Five consortia were granted funding in the SRC programme Economy and Welfare in an Era of Strategic Competition (WELEC). Research under this programme focuses on how and by what means the economy can develop favourably and lay the foundations for prosperity in changing circumstances. A total of 15 research fields and 17 organisations are represented in the WELEC consortia.

In University of Jyväskylä, one project received funding from the program, amounting to approximately €380,000. Professor Raija Hämäläinens project addresses Finland's innovation paradox: despite strong capabilities and R&D investment, productivity and economic growth remain sluggish. The project investigates how leadership, intangible capital, and responsible AI adoption can support economic renewal and societal well-being. The consortium is coordinated by the University of Turku.