Basic research serves as a foundation for further research and higher education

Sami Pihlström, Director of the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, shies away from placing basic and applied research in juxtaposition. In his mind, both types of research are necessary for the advancement of human well-being. He feels that while the research community must be in constant interaction with society at large, the bottom line is that phenomena can only be explained with the help of good basic research. The success of the universities should not be evaluated within a short time span nor measured by business indicators.

“There seems to be pressure from business and economy to steer the universities towards applied research. It is obvious, however, that without basic research, the universities will not provide a decent education or competent graduates and Doctors for the working world,” Mr. Pihlström says.

One important task of the Collegium is to support the position of free basic research and maintain academic freedom. Basic research is also work that is guided by values and which, at its best, increases the well-being of human life.

“Applied research is not possible without solid basic research. The university reform is such a new thing that it still remains to be seen how it will impact on research in Finland. There are not many companies that are willing to financially back basic humanistic research. It is crucial that the State assume responsibility for the basic funding.”

Emphasising the multidisciplinary concept

The Collegium is an independent unit of the University of Helsinki, and its basic function is to carry out and promote top level research in the fields of the humanities and social sciences. Co-operation between the various disciplines holds a key position. The current Collegium has more than fifty researchers, nearly half of whom originate from eleven different countries outside of Finland.

“I am quite optimistic about the level of Finnish research, and our foreign colleagues also seem to view Finland as an attractive host country. We are able to offer a quality research environment that holds its own in international comparisons.”

The activities of the Collegium are based on the turnover of researchers, as most researchers operate within the fellowship for a term of 1-3 years.

“We have grown from a unit of twenty people to a fellowship of 70, which is quite a suitable size,” states Mr. Pihlström.

Keeping the focus on the basic task

The Collegium’s funding comes primarily from the University of Helsinki, with additional financing from the research projects of the Academy of Finland, the Kone Foundation, the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation, and the Helsingin Sanomat Foundation. The expansion of the funding channels of the universities does not worry Mr. Pihlström as long as the State is bearing the primary responsibility for the universities’ operational needs.

“The aim of scientific research is to produce results that are beneficial for humanity in general. The financier, whether it is the State or private parties, must always keep in mind the basic function of the universities.”

Mr. Pihlström wants to encourage international mobility among researchers, but warns, at the same time, against giving this issue too much intrinsic value.
“It is valuable to experience and create international networks among different research environments. Success can be achieved through attending conferences or by focusing on international publications, but researchers do not automatically become better at what they do simply because they are abroad.”

Looking beyond mainstream research

As Director of the Collegium, Mr. Pihlström has stressed the point that the Collegium is not an isolated unit, but rather operates in close co-operation with the different faculties at the University of Helsinki. Changes in the world of science unavoidably affect the Collegium as well.

“The recent discourse concerning basic and applied research has not been an acute issue for us, but it is a fact that the universities’ policies are reflected in society and our operational environment. I believe that the Collegium could positively influence the field of humanities and bring its own perspective to the discussion surrounding values.”

Mr. Pihlström views the roles of the Academy of Finland and the Collegium as being similar in that the task of both is to support and promote quality basic research.
“The university departments and faculties are encouraged to profile themselves more distinctly. In order to avoid the loss of diversity, we need research funding that is allotted for topics that fall outside of the faculties’ strategic areas. Research that falls outside of the mainstream may, in the end, prove to be essential for our society.”

Text: Liisa Tanninen
Photo: Wilma Hurskainen