Culture in an Increasingly Technologically Driven Society (CULT)

Technological development is shaping human activity more rapidly than cultural changes. Many traditional ways of doing things are disappearing while new ones are emerging at an unprecedented rate. Adapting to such rapid change is a challenge for both people and organisations, but at the same it also presents new opportunities. Our understanding of knowledge, learning and civilisation are also evolving. Technological development influences the means and tools used to create and transfer culture from one generation to the next, for instance. Going forward, civilisation may be passed on through pedagogical, educational and interactive relationships dissimilar from any seen to date.

The relationship between technological development and culture is not a one-way street, however. Culture, cultural values and cultural goals are reflected in the kind of technology that is developed, while the benefits of technology largely depend on the culture in which the technologies are used and the social, economic and ecological impacts of those technologies. Since the nature of culture and technology is manifold, under this theme researchers are expected to bring to the table the perspectives of their respective disciplines for multidisciplinary engagement.

Technology both enables important positive transitions and creates multiple challenges. Research under this theme will seek to locate solutions for supporting interaction between technological advances, institutional and organisational structures and different cultures to ensure the inclusiveness of an increasingly multicultural and technologically driven society. Solutions are also needed for alleviating the social divisions associated with technological development.

Projects:

Learning to be digital consumers: How to improve young people’s financial skills in a technologically driven consumer society? (DigiConsumers)

Consortium P:I Terhi-Anna Wilska, University of Jyväskylä
Responsible for interaction activities: Eija Seppänen, Economy and youth TAT

Consortium composition: University of Jyväskylä, Economy and youth TAT, University of Vaasa, University of Helsinki, Pellervo Economic Research PTT

Intimacy in Data-Driven Culture (IDA)

Consortium PI: Susanna Paasonen, University of Turku
Responsible for interaction activities: Annamari Vänskä, Aalto University

Consortium composition: University of Turku, Aalto University, Åbo Akademi, Aalto University

Towards socially inclusive digital society: Transforming service culture (DigiIn)

Consortium PI: Tarja Heponiemi, Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare
Responsible for interaction activities: Piritta Rautavuori, Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare

Consortium composition: Finnish Insitute for Health and Welfare, Universioty of Helsinki, Aalto University, Laurea University of Applied Sciences, University of Jyväskylän yliopisto, Age Institute