Workshop Announcement
Title: Immerse, investigate & intervene! A Workshop on Developing Action-oriented Collaborative Research
Duration: 3 hours
Organizers: HSSH, workhop is led by Mirko Tobias Schäfer & Pekka Mäkelä with contributions from Minna Ruckenstein (University of Helsinki), Juuli Hilska (Noren) and Joonas Aitonurmi (DVV)
Date & location: Thursday 30.10.2025 at 14-17, Fabianinkatu 24a, 5th floor seminar room 524
Description
How can researchers move beyond studying society to participating in shaping it?
This interactive workshop explores how to design and conduct collaborative, action-oriented research that makes a difference. Drawing on insights from Collaborative Research for the Datafied Society (Schäfer, van Es & Lauriault), we will discuss how collaboration with societal stakeholders can transform research agendas, generate new forms of knowledge, and support meaningful interventions in real-world settings.
The session begins with two concise presentations introducing the epistemic and practical value of collaboration, followed by a stakeholder perspective highlighting expectations and lessons from outside academia.
After the break participants will work in groups to develop their own perspective on collaborative research and brokering activities.
- Getting Started: Build the basics of a collaborative research project, map stakeholders, and identify shared concerns and develop tactics for immersion, and possibly sketch activities for intervention.
By the end, participants will have concrete ideas for connecting their research to societal partners and for shaping interventions that both generate insight and contribute to improvement in a societal sector.
Who should participate
Researchers, PhD candidates, and practitioners interested in co-creating knowledge and change through collaborative, embedded, and participatory research approaches. No prior experience required — choose the breakout that best fits your stage. (This workshop is also highly recommended for university admins, and support stuff to learn more about what is needed to facilitate such efforts.)
Takeaways
- Deeper understanding of the value and practice of collaborative research.
- Tools to map stakeholders and design interventions.
- A draft idea or next step to make your research more collaborative, relevant, and impactful.
Further Reading:
Schäfer, M., van Es, K. and Lauriault, T., 2024. Making a Difference: The Epistemic Value of Collaborative Research in a Datafied Society. In Collaborative Research in the Datafied Society: Methods and Practices for Investigation and Intervention (pp. 19-33). Amsterdam University Press.
Büchner, S., Zakharova, I., Jarke, J., et al. 2024. Participation as Imposition: Problem assessments and recommendations for enabling participatory research. Position paper. Volkswagen Stiftung.