Center for Activity Theory and Developmental Work Research

University of Helsinki

Director: Professor Yrjö Engeström
tel. +358 9 7084 802 and  +358 9 7084 797
fax +358 9 7084 844yrjo.engestrom(at)helsinki.fi

Centre of Excellence Homepage

The Center investigates changes in work, organisations and technology. A focal concern is with the question of whether people can learn from changes and master them instead of being downtrodden by the changes. The expansive learning theory that is the framework for the investigation seeks to explain how human communities can expand their potential and learn something that does not yet exist, i.e. how to function in a new way.

The Center consists of five groups, which are concerned with - new forms of work organisation and learning processes triggered by changes (Professor Yrjö Engeström) - welfare related to work, i.e. work ability in the midst of changes (Docent Kirsti Launis) - technological innovations and organisation of research, i.e. what makes a breakthrough in research and product development (Professor Reijo Miettinen) - new forms of cooperation between vocational education and working life (Professor Terttu Tuomi-Gröhn) - new intervention methods for the management of change and learning (Docent Jaakko Virkkunen).

The Center has a personnel of around 50.