Research

The goal of the programme is to help us better understand how individuals, communities, and environments evolve and adapt in an interconnected world. To achieve this goal, DIVSOL brings together researchers from several faculties at the University of Helsinki and combines approaches from the humanities and social sciences, life sciences, and natural sciences. Through this multidisciplinary approach we encourage innovative research and develop new methods to study how diversity functions and changes over time. We anticipate that this programme will lead to valuable insights and solutions that impact science and benefit society. 

The main thematic areas of the programme are cultural and biological dimensions of diversity (themes 1–2), and political and environmental dimensions of diversity (themes 3–5). These areas are supported by a dedicated focus on methodological development (theme 6). 

The thematic area Cultural and biological dimensions of diversity investigates changes in linguistic, educational, and religious systems especially in urban settings. The focus is on individuals and their identities as well as similarities found between cultural and ecological systems. 

Theme 1: Changing worldviews and learning environments

Research under this theme explores how social identities overlap with other identities, such as religious, ethnic, and gender identities. It focuses on two main areas:  

• Religious diversity in a secular society: This area examines the roles of different religions in a society that is becoming more secular, and how people on the margins of urban life experience belonging and well-being. These issues will be primarily approached from the perspectives of Islamic and urban theology.
• Inclusivity in education: This aspect investigates how to ensure equal access to high-quality education and supportive learning environments. We will consider how current educational structures, policies, curricula, pedagogical practices, and resources address the increasing diversity of learners, and how diversity is negotiated and experienced in educational contexts. Relevant areas include equal access, multilingualism, religious and worldview diversity, socioeconomic disparities, disability, and gender and sexuality. A critical understanding of power relations and their role in shaping educational practices is essential.

Theme 2: Pluralism in ecological and linguistic systems

This theme explores the complexities of linguistic and ecological diversity. Its aim is to understand how increasing and emerging forms of diversity affect the interactions and practices between humans and other forms of life and how society and the environment are interconnected. The research focuses on two key areas: 

• Diversity and its impact: This area looks at both the excess and loss of diversity as threats to the ecosystems and modern society. One of the focal points will be the declining biodiversity in urban areas, which can harm ecological integrity and function, as well as affect human health and well-being.
• Linguistic diversity: This aspect investigates new approaches to linguistic diversity, such as convivial multilingualism, from both global and local perspectives. Moreover, we will research the various functional purposes that different forms of multilingualism may serve in society. 

The thematic area Political and environmental dimensions of diversity focuses on diversity from the viewpoint of social structures, institutional practices, and agency. This area explores possible parallels between how biological species adapt to changing environments and how communities struggle with integration, assimilation and identity loss, for instance related to language policies. 

Theme 3: Challenges in social structures 

This theme focuses on the challenges that arise from the lack of adequate measures to come to terms with the growing diversity in society. If left unaddressed, these challenges may seriously affect the legitimacy of the Nordic welfare state, labor market models, public education systems, and notions of citizenship. The research will examine the systematic challenges linked to discrimination, encountering diversity and legal governance, including: 

• Access for minorities and migrants: This area looks at the barriers that minorities and migrants face in accessing employment, housing, public services, and care. These barriers contribute to social inequalities and lack of trust in public institutions.
• Discrimination and structural racism: This aspect investigates the processes and practices that lead to discrimination and structural racism. These issues will be approached in the context of the legal framework of a democratic society built on the principles of pluralism and respect for human rights, the rule of law and different cultures. 

Theme 4: Participation, inclusion and empowerment 

This theme focuses on understanding inclusion and fair treatment of minorities, which are vital for achieving social justice, self-empowerment, and peaceful coexistence. Key areas of research include: 

• Linguistic diversity and heritage languages: This area examines how fostering linguistic diversity and the use of heritage languages helps people participate in democracy, experience belonging, and have a voice in their community.
• Minorities and people with disabilities in the labor market: This aspect looks at the status of minorities and individuals with disabilities across different age groups in the workforce. It emphasizes recognizing diversity as a valuable resource for economic and social well-being, particularly in relation to caring for aging populations. 

Theme 5: Social and environmental adaptation 

Environmental degradation in cities and the advantages of green spaces are not evenly shared among different groups. The research will focus on two main areas: 

• Urban biodiversity benefits: This area examines how the benefits of urban biodiversity vary for different urban populations, including immigrants, minorities, religious groups, and individuals from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
• Biodiversity and linguistic diversity: This aspect investigates how urban biodiversity and linguistic diversity may foster a sense of place and belonging within diverse urban communities. It also looks at how institutional policies can help reduce social anxieties and promote justice, trust, and long-term sustainability. 

Theme 6: Development of new methodological approaches  

Understanding the complex questions of diversity in a deeply interconnected world demands methodological innovation, which DIVSOL promotes by aligning the insights of qualitative and quantitative methods with the enhanced power of the computational analysis of massive datasets.

DIVSOL and two other actions –  (SWAN) and Systems of Food and Drug Security (fooDrug) – will set up a joint AI Virtual Lab to support the use of artificial intelligence in scientific research. This emphasis also reinforces our community's commitment to research integrity and ethical use of AI.