21.11.2024
The Research Council of Finland funds research into maritime traffic and democracy – researchers at Åbo Akademi University receive €2.6 million
The Strategic Research Council established within the Research Council of Finland has granted substantial funding to several research projects at Åbo Akademi University.
Democratic innovations
The STRONG consortium “Implementing Democratic Innovations” which examines democratic innovations, receives a total of almost three million euros for the first three years. Åbo Akademi University’s share is €1,170,000. Funding for the subsequent three years will be decided by the Research Council of Finland at a later stage.
The researchers aim to examine how democratic innovations, especially deliberative mini-publics or citizens’ panels, can improve inclusion and trust in the democratic system, its institutions, actors and decisions.
The project is led by Kimmo Grönlund, Professor of Political Science at Åbo Akademi University, and is a collaboration between the University of Tampere, the University of Vaasa, the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and several relevant stakeholders in public administration.
“Democracy is under threat both internally and externally. That is why it is especially significant that we can conduct world-class international research with the potential to strengthen democracy in general and within Finnish society in particular,” says Grönlund.
Democratic participation
The OBAMA consortium “Overcoming barriers to democratic participation with minoritized and marginalized groups”, which also aims to support democratic development, also receives €1,880,000, with Åbo Akademi University’s share being approximately €640,000.
In this project, the researchers want to develop solutions to counter inequalities in democratic participation together with marginalised groups and partner organisations that represent and work with these groups. These include people with disabilities, people with substance abuse problems, people with socio-economic disadvantages, and sexual and racialised minorities.
“Marginalised and minority groups have lower participation and weaker representation in our democratic system. To strengthen people’s rights and create a stable society, we need a more inclusive democracy”, says Camilla Nordberg who leads the research group at Åbo Akademi University.
Democratic resilience
The RESLIDE consortium “The resilience of liberal democracy in Finland”, which evaluates the resilience of liberal democracy in Finland, also receives funding. Åbo Akademi University, which is a partner in the project, will receive around EUR 550,000.
By studying commitment to democratic norms among citizens, politicians, and public administrators, and analyzing inequalities in political representation and participation, the project aims to develop tools to strengthen democracy.
For example, the researchers want to produce a digital warning system to identify alarming trends in public discourse and create tools to strengthen democratic norms.
Sustainable marine waterways
The WATERWAYS consortium “Marine waterways as a sustainable source of wellbeing, security, and safety” is an interdisciplinary collaboration between experts in computer science, marine technology, environmental sciences, and maritime law from several research institutions in Finland is also granted funding. Åbo Akademi University, as a partner, receives around €250,000.
Here, researchers are examining the ongoing changes in the use of waterways in the Baltic Sea, focusing on maritime safety and sustainability, with a focus on understanding and mitigating environmental and safety risks arising from both traditional and new maritime activities.
Through innovative data-driven methods and AI tools for monitoring and assessment, the researchers aim to improve maritime safety and sustainability.