Interna spetsenheter inom forskning

Med stöd från Stiftelsen för Åbo Akademi har Åbo Akademi upprätthållit ett spetsforskningsprogram sedan 2006. Med programmet stöds forskning vid Åbo Akademi med avsikt att uppnå högsta möjliga kvalitet och genomslagskraft. Den strategiska satsningen på spetsenhetsprogrammet ska också stöda forskare och forskargrupper att bli konkurrenskraftiga i kampen om medel från de mest konkurrensutsatta finansieringskällorna.

De nuvarande spetsenheterna inom forskning är:
(1.1.2024–31.12.2028)

• Psych-AID: Psychology at the Frontiers: Asylum Interviewing and Decision-Making
  The asylum process rests on interviews with the applicant and a subsequent decision regarding which claims are credible. Troublingly, asylum officials use methods not supported by psychological science, invalidating the process. We will adapt interviewing and decision-making methods to the asylum context and train European asylum officials. Our world-leading research on the psychological aspects of asylum interviewing and decision-making is vital to upholding the integrity of the asylum system.
  • Spetsenhetens ledare: Jan Antfolk, professor i tillämpad psykologi
  • Viceledare: Julia Korkman, arbetslivsprofessor i rättspsykologi

• RELEX: Religion and Social Exclusion: A Cross-Cultural Approach and New Methodology
  RELEX investigates how socially excluded people view and relate to religion on a cross-cultural scale using a new mixed-methods framework specifically developed for this purpose. Research is conducted in Ghana, Finland, India, and Peru. In each context, our empirical research focuses on the religious views of persons subjected to three particular forms of social exclusion related to: 1) imprisonment; 2) ethnic minority position; and 3) identification as LGBTQI+.
  • Spetsenhetens ledare: dekan Peter Nynäs, professor i religionsvetenskap
  • Viceledare: Marcus Moberg, professor i religionsvetenskap

• MADNESS: Materials-Driven Solutions for Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance
  Our Centre of Excellence aims to counter antimicrobial resistance (AMR) issues and tackle biofilms by developing material-based treatment strategies for infectious diseases. The urgency for innovative solutions stems from the fact that new antibiotic drugs are falling short in addressing the global AMR threat. With expertise in materials science, pharmacy, and artificial intelligence, we will formulate efficient AMR solutions.
  • Spetsenhetens ledare: Jessica Rosenholm, professor i farmaci
  • Viceledare: Ivan Porres Paltor, professor i datateknik

• SOS: Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science
  Our blue planet is experiencing a biodiversity crisis where marine life is critical to our wellbeing and society’s green transition. The vision of Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science is to establish a novel, transdisciplinary and user-centric paradigm for identifying and analysing marine biodiversity-related wicked problems and their solutions that supports sustainability transitions. It enables ÅAU to be a world-leader in transdisciplinary ocean science and a driver of UN’s Ocean Decade work.
  • Spetsenhetens ledare: Anna Törnroos-Remes, biträdande professor (tenure track), profileringsområdet Havet
  • Viceledare: Nina Tynkkynen, professor i miljöstyrning och policy