Research on science and science policy

The aim of science studies is to produce new knowledge about important topics in science and science policy. The role of research in society and changes in national and international science and technology policy entail more efficient use of research findings in science policy planning and decision-making.

The Ministry of Education promotes research into science and scholarship and into science policy by supporting researcher training in the field, by allocating development funds to research projects and reviews which serve science policy decision-making and produce knowledge about the impact of science policy measures and by developing infrastructures in science and technology studies, especially within universities. For the development of researcher training in the field, there is a national graduate school in science and technology studies called TITEKO, in which most universities participate. With a view to strengthening science studies in universities, the Ministry finances two networked research units: Research group for science, technology and innovation studies (TASTI), attached to the university of Tampere, and the Helsinki Institute of Science and Technology Studies (HIST), attached to the University of Helsinki. Technology studies comprise research into multidisciplinary development, transfer, adoption and impact of technology. Another important research target is the interface and interrelations between applied research and development.

An increasingly important area is research into the adoption and development of technology from the point of view of society and people. The growing role of society is also seen in the fact that more and more research examines both the positive and negative effects of technology and the efficacy and effectiveness of R&D input.

Technology studies support measures geared to renew the innovation environment to give the best possible response to both present and future needs.

One important impetus for technology studies has been the ProACT research programme (2001-2005) jointly run by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Technology Development Centre. Its aim is to add to understanding and produce new knowledge about the impact of technology, research and technology policy on society and industry and the impact of society on technology development. The results of the programme are used to develop science end technology administration, research cooperation, business and industry, and industrial policy. Research has been focused on significant economic and societal changes and phenomena, such as development needs in technology policy, the renewal of the innovation process, need to develop the research system in response to an increasingly international research field and the challenges facing innovation in the new economy.