History and Scholarly Tradition of the Programme

The programme started in 2006 and is based on the 20-year tradition of developmental work research conducted in the Centre for Research on Activity, Development and Learning (CRADLE), Institute of Behavioural Sciences at University of Helsinki. This interventionist research approach, rooted in cultural-historical activity theory, is internationally recognized as an innovative framework in the study of work and learning.

Developmental work research is a research-driven approach aimed at promoting and studying change in work, communities and educational organisations. The societal need for the programme stems from increasingly rapid and profound changes in the world of work, organisations, and technology. Traditional course-based forms of personnel training and human resource development are insufficient and radically new forms of work-related learning are being developed.

Characteristic to the programme is that a large percentage of its students have already experience in similar tasks in work organisations. Students typically collect data for their theses in work organisations, combining high theoretical standards with very practical problems and needs. The quality of the Master’s theses is consistently high and the programme enjoys an excellent reputation.

Past graduates have found employment or progressed in their careers in national and international companies or successfully applied for positions in doctoral programmes.