Our work is focused on two research programs: 1) Phenomena, People and Society, and 2) Food and the Environment.
Ongoing projects
The International Talent Finland Research Project
Duration: 2021–2023
Description: In the International Talent Finland Research Project, we will inquire how to attract international talents to take part in building the country.
Authors: Mari K. Niemi, Ville Pitkänen, Matti Välimäki ja Roosa Veijola
Partners: Confederation of Finnish industries (EK), Technology Industries of Finland, Kunta- ja hyvinvointialuetyönantajat KT, KEVA, Tekniikan Akateemiset, Industrial Employees TP, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland, Business Finland, and the cities of Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere and Oulu
BASE: Building Academics’ Societal Impact
Duration: 2022.
Description: A unique pilot project to support the growing number of foreign academics, researchers, and experts, who are working in Finland, in their public engagement, visibility in Finnish media, and the societal impact of their work.
Who is responsible for the project? The project is led by DsocSci, docent Mari K. Niemi and coordinated by MA Gökhan Depo. DsocSci Ville Pitkänen, DsocSci Matti Välimäki, and MA Roosa Veijola are members of the project team.
Funders: Jenny and Antti Wihuri Foundation.
Collaborators: Finnish Association of Science Editors and Journalists, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, LUT University, University of Turku, University of Vaasa, The Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT).
Ruokavarma - Vulnerabilities in the Finnish Food System
Duration: 2021 - 2022
Description: Ruokavarma -project assesses inter-dependencies within the Finnish food system and their role as a source of vulnerability and suggests solutions for improving our food system’s sustainability and resilience.
Authors: Marjatta Selänniemi, Kaisa Karttunen, Anni Savikurki
Partners: Finland Futures Research Centre of University of Turku, Jyväskylä University School of Business & Economics
Funding: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Just Food transition - Tackling inequalities on the way to a sustainable, climate-smart and just food system (JUST FOOD)
Duration: 2019 – 2022 (2025)
Description: Just Food project studies ways to transition to a climate-smart and healthy food system in a sustainable, acceptable and just manner.
Authors: Kaisa Karttunen, Anni Savikurki, Marjatta Selänniemi.
Partners: Coordinated by the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, the cross-disciplinary project consortium includes the University of Jyväskylä, E2 Research, Natural Resources Institute Finland LUKE, the National Institute for Health and Welfare THL, and the Centre for Development and Environment of the University of Bern, Switzerland.
Funding: Strategic Research Council (SRC) of the Academy of Finland. Just Food is part of the six-year FOOD programme (2019–2025).
Previous projects
Smoother Everyday Life, the Better Quality of Life SAPE - The State of Sustainable Development in Rural Areas
Duration: 2020-2021
Description: The research project SAPE assesses the state of sustainable development in rural areas in Finland. We examine the role, visibility and presence of rural areas in the national sustainable development policies and analyze the targets for sustainable development in the strategies of regions, communities and villages.
Partners: Pellervo Economic Research PTT, Village Action Association of Finland
Funding: Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland / Makera
Inter-generational concerns and strengths
Duration: 2020-2022
Description: The project examines whether young and middle-aged people's views on working life and the future of the welfare state align. The project consists of three sub-studies.
Authors: Jenni Simonen, Jussi Westinen, Aino Heikkilä
Partners: Industrial Employees TP, Finnish Paper Workers' Union, The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL, Trade Union Pro and Service Union United PAM (sub-survey I) and The Finnish Pension Alliance TELA, Association of Finnish Municipalities and Sitra (sub-survey II). The partners of sub-study III will be announced later.
Inter-generational concerns and strengths I The common denominators of working life
Duration: 2020-2021
Description: The sub-study I 'The common denominators of working life' examines the central cornerstone of the welfare society, ie working life. The study compares the working life views and inter-generational relationships of young and middle-aged people.
Authors: Jenni Simonen, Jussi Westinen, Aino Heikkilä
Partners: Industrial Employees TP, Finnish Paper Workers' Union, The Trade Union for the Public and Welfare Sectors JHL, Trade Union Pro and Service Union United PAM
Inter-generational concerns and strengths II Institutions and the citizen - Changing Relationship
Duration: 2020-2021
Description: Sub-study II 'Institutions and the Citizen - Changing Relationship' focuses on the structural factors of the welfare state and examines the relationship between citizens and key institutions. The study examines whether there are differences between generations in the meanings and trust associated with institutions.
Authors: Jenni Simonen and Jussi Westinen
Partners: The Finnish Pension Alliance TELA, Association of Finnish Municipalities and Sitra.
Inter-generational concerns and strengths III Young people's good life
Duration: 2021-2022
Description: Sub-study III 'Young people's good life' examines how young people view success in life, their insecurities and concerns, and their place in society. The project has an inclusive approach by using members of the target age group as co-researchers as well as subjects.
Authors: Jenni Simonen and Jussi Westinen
Partners: The partners in sub-study III will be announced later.
The Quiet Wisdom of Older Women as Cultural Capital
Duration: 2020-2021
Description: The project examines the wisdom of older women and how it is being transitioned to the next generations.
Authors: Marja Holmila (Emerita, Finnish institute for health and welfare), Jenni Simonen (E2 Research)
Partners: The project is implemented in collaboration with Research Professor Marja Holmila (Emerita, Finnish institute for health and welfare). The partners include the Pensioners' Association, the Finnish Pensioners' Federation, The Central Association of Finnish Pensioners and the Union of Christian Pensioners.
Cross-draught in the air - Is there a common understanding? A study of citizens and policymakers perceptions of climate change.
Duration: September 2019-December 2020
Description: The project examines the attitudes, motivational factors and level of knowledge about climate change among business leaders, policymakers and citizens, as well as internal and interpersonal conflicts.
Authors: E2 Research: Ville Pitkänen, Jussi Westinen, Aino Heikkilä
InnoLab of the University of Vaasa: Mari. K. Niemi, Tommi Lehtonen, Annu Perälä
Partners: Energy Industry Association, Association of Finnish Municipalities, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, MTK Association, STTK Association, Ministry of Employment and the Economy and Ministry of the Environment, InnoLab University of Vaasa
Startup success factors - a study of the food industry and the case of Nyhtökaura
Duration: 2020
Description: The project surveys the success factors of startups and the specific characteristics of food startups. The case of Nyhtökaura (pulled oats) is studied as part of the food industry.
Authors: Reetta Kivelä, Aino Heikkilä, Jenni Simonen
Partners: The Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation (ETL), K-Group, Ministry of Employment and the Economy and Startup Foundation
Values and identities among the Finnish majority population and the largest ethno-linguistic minorities
Duration: January 2019 to March 2020
Description: The project examines the social values, attitudes and identities of Russian, Estonian, Somali, Arabic and English speakers in Finland. The project examines e.g. the importance of family, work, religion and mother tongue. In addition, the study provides significant new information on the integration of different ethno-linguistic minorities.
Authors: E2 Research: Ville Pitkänen, Jussi Westinen
City of Helsinki: Pasi Saukkonen
Partners: Finnish Cultural Foundation, Ministry of Justice and the cities of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa
Finnish identities, values and attitudes
Duration: 1.1.2018–31.12.2018
Description: The study examines the Finnish identities, values and attitudes.
Authors: Ville Pitkänen and Jussi Westinen
Partners: The Finnish Cultural Foundation
Youth not in employment, education or training (NEET)
Duration: 2018-2019
Description: The project examines Youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) whose voices are often left unheard in other studies. The study looks at the well-being of youth not in employment or education and what could be done to help them.
Authors: Jenni Simonen
Partners: Youth Research Network
