Information literacy and evidence-informed decision-making (LITERACY)

The Research Programme will seek solutions to how information can be used critically and constructively to support both individual and societal decision-making and actions.

Information provides a solid and constructive foundation for dialogue among people, for the individual’s choice-making and more broadly for decision-making in society. A key challenge with regard to the relationship between science and decision-making concerns the reliability and comprehensibility of information and scientific knowledge. In society, there’s a need for new ways of processing information – information literacy. Essentially, how does information gain broad enough acceptance to serve as a basis for the individual’s actions and decision-making in society? The increasing amount, fragmentation and diversity of information are challenging people’s skills and ways of filtering and assimilating information. Some people may be selective in their information use and hold onto their own views even in the face of evidence that speaks against those views. Individual differences in ways of assimilating information also come into play. Accelerating technological development needs to be supported by information processing skills and an understanding of the nature of information and knowledge.

Society and individuals need to master the challenges of the information environment and to develop new ways of forming evidence-informed views and information processing skills for purposes of their decision-making. All this relates to the conditions and structures of assimilating, disseminating and using information and knowledge in all areas of society, and covers the various dimensions of human life and the relationship of humans with their environment. The challenges are often manifested on the local level, whereas the solutions may call for a global viewpoint.

The solutions will require addressing the mutual relations of different genres of information and an understanding of the ever-faster-paced decision-making processes. Furthermore, research is needed into the ways and tools with which information and data are produced and presented. It is essential that the solutions proposed are wholly inclusive and do not in any way lead to exclusion from information or create inequalities.

The cross-cutting priority for the research programme is communality which is intended to emphasise that every individual acts also as part of society.

The commitment of researchers and other involved partners to the principles of inclusive co-creation must be universally reflected in all projects, from the earliest stages of project planning and goal setting. It is crucial that in all its interactions the research maintains an open, inclusive and responsive relationship with the surrounding society and its many and diverse actors.

Projects:

Fostering Finnish Science Capital (FINSCI)

Consortium PI: Johanna Kaakinen, University of Turku
Responsible for interaction activities: Katri Saarikivi, Skope ry.

Consortium composition: University of Turku, University of Eastern Finland, Heureka, Skope ry., University of Helsinki

Reliable knowledge for health care: process and practice of shared decision making (PROSHADE)

Consortium PI: Eila Kankaanpää, University of Eastern Finland
Responsible for interaction activities: Jarkko Kumpulainen, University of Eastern Finland

Consortium composition: University of Eastern Finland, Duodecim ry., Tampere University, University of Oulu

Technological and Societal Innovations to Cultivate Critical Reading in the Internet Era (CRITICAL)

Consortium PI: Kristian Kiili, Tampere University
Responsible for interaction activities: Elina Hämäläinen, University of Jyväskylä

Consortium composition: Tampere University, University of Helsinki, University of Oulu, University of Jyväskylä

Silent agents affected by legislation: from an insufficient knowledge base to inclusive solutions (SILE)

Consortium PI: Kati Rantala, University of Helsinki
Responsible for interaction activities: Petri Uusikylä, Frisky & Anjoy Oy

Consortium composition: University of Helsinki, University of Turku, Institute for Health and Welfare, University of Lapland, Frisky & Anjoy Oy

Data Literacy for Responsible Decision-Making (DataLit)

Consortium PI: Petri Ylikoski, University of Helsinki
Responsible for interaction activities: Karoliina Snell, University of Helsinki

Consortium composition: University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland, Aalto University