Tampere University research platforms
In Tampere University, the term “research platform” refers to a research programme or hub that is established on a fixed-term basis to promote national and international collaboration.
The research platforms bring together researchers at Tampere University and stakeholders from the private, public and third sectors. The goal is to promote high-quality research that delivers impact for society and addresses important societal challenges.
CNESS – Climate Neutral Energy Systems and Society
The CNESS research platform supports new interdisciplinary research initiatives in both the area of green electrification and sectors of society that are difficult to electrify. It serves as an interdisciplinary forum for researchers and stakeholders and strengthens the networking of researchers domestically and internationally.
The research platform is coordinated by the Faculty of Management and Business, with Professor Pami Aalto serving as its director.
Aims: The CNESS research platform promotes interdisciplinary cooperation to achieve a climate-neutral energy system centered on green electrification and considers the diverse interests of society.
Fields of research: The research platform combines engineering expertise with research in society and business. It involves disciplines such as electrical engineering, automation technology, biotechnology, aerosol physics, information technology, civil engineering, architecture, industrial engineering and management, political science, and sociology.
Partners: Key partners include companies in the energy, environment, security, and IT sectors, as well as authorities, domestic and international research institutes, and universities.
DigiSus – Digital and Sustainability Transitions in Society
DigiSus regards digitalisation as both an opportunity and a challenge for sustainable development and sustainability as a new perspective to digitalisation endeavors. The platform aims to develop a cross-disciplinary network of collaboration, support ambitious new openings and continuation of promising research, as well as improves the visibility of Tampere-based research at the intersection of digitalization and sustainable development.
The research platform is coordinated by the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, and it is led by professor Thomas Olsson.
Aims: DigiSus nurtures new forms of collaboration across disciplines and new insights into the twin transition of digitalisation and sustainable development in modern societies.
Fields of research: The topics of digitalisation and sustainable development relate to almost all fields and areas of life. Examples of prominent fields in the activities of DigiSus include computing sciences, information studies, philosophy and sociology of technology, political science, digital culture, social psychology, knowledge management, systems science, and architecture.
Partners: Key societal partners include IT companies operating in Tampere, city officials, networks and associations promoting sustainable digitalisation, as well as people as digital citizens.
TRANSFORM – Towards Effective and Equitable Welfare Services – Translating Scientific Knowledge into Improved Practices and Outcomes)
The mission of the TRANSFORM research platform is to enhance understanding of the development needs of the welfare system and to create conditions for better decision-making by supporting research.
TRANSFORM serves as a contact point for welfare-related research at Tampere University for research themes of its area. TRANSFORM enhances research visibility, supports the formation of new research projects and groups, and attracts external research funding. In addition, it contributes to national and international cross-disciplinary discussions in its area of expertise.
The TRANSFORM research platform is coordinated by the Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC), with Professor Katja Kuusisto as its current leader.
Aims: The primary mission of the TRANSFORM research platform is to support high-quality research focused on welfare services by coordinating and promoting multidisciplinary collaboration, disseminating information, organizing multi- and cross-disciplinary workshops and events, as well as offering seed funding for new research initiatives.
Fields of research: TRANSFORM is a broad-based collaborative research program involving three faculties - Faculty of Social Sciences (SOC), the Faculty of Management and Business (MAB), and Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology (MET). Its research themes span from the individual level to the societal level and with perspectives from technology to social sciences and economics.
Partners: Ensuring the future of welfare services necessitates knowledge produced by multidisciplinary research. TRANSFORM increases the societal impact of research in social and health services by collaborating with public, private, and third sector actors, as well as other stakeholders both nationally and internationally.
TURNS – Tampere Urban Research Network for Sustainability
TURNS research platform promotes creative and critical urban and sustainability research. It offers seed funding for new scientific initiatives and mobility funding for international researcher visits. TURNS organizes a wide range of events that support research and its impacts, including, for instance, conferences, PhD schools and writing retreats.
The research platform is coordinated by the Faculty of Built Environment and led by Professor Panu Lehtovuori.
Aims: TURNS creates preconditions for multi- and transdisciplinary urban sustainability research. It brings together actors and methods of critical urban studies, transition studies, and sustainability science, with the aim of courageous initiatives and impact.
Fields of research: Sustainable and critical urban research is, by definition, multi- and transdisciplinary. The TURNS research platform involves researchers from several different fields of science, such as administrative studies, architecture, business, education, environmental health, information technology, regional studies, social sciences, urban history, urban physics, and urban planning.
Partners: TURNS builds networks both locally and internationally. Our partners include universities and research institutes, the City of Tampere and other municipalities, as well as various organizations promoting the sustainability transformation. We collaborate with companies, NGOs, urban activists, and residents.