New service brings research-based knowledge to decision-makers

Finns trust firmly in science and education, but how can we bring the latest research-based knowledge accessible to decision-makers – quickly and efficiently?

One solution is the MustRead Academy, which is being launched today. It publishes topical texts written by researchers and directed specifically at decision-makers. The aim of the service is to collect dispersed information into a form that is easily available and easy to utilise.

Dozens of writers from Aalto University have signed up for it. One of them is Professor of Practice Tua Björklund, who is also one of the founders of Aalto University's Design Factory. She emphasises that scientific information has a true societal impact only if it spreads beyond academic discussions.

“It is wonderful to be involved in new trials, contributing to the deployment of research results”, says Björklund, who writes about the importance of creativity in an article that is to be published in October.

“Creative practices are not only for the creative fields and innovation centres. Human-centred development makes it possible to improve the sustainability and profitability of activities in any field. Now is the right time for strategic input needed to build a post-pandemic future”, she points out.

The MustRead Academy reaches decision-makers through a tailored newsletter and social media. All the texts will be published on the MustRead Academy's website, and they are freely available for anyone to read.

In addition to Aalto University, participants now include the universities of Helsinki, Eastern Finland, Jyväskylä, Tampere, and Turku, and there are plans to expand the service.

“Our aim in the future is to develop the service beyond universities, to include state research institutes and universities of applied sciences”, says Ari Lämsä, CEO of MustRead.

The first articles written by six researchers have been published by the MustRead Academy today. They can be found on the Academy's pages at https://www.mustread.fi/akatemia.