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Education directors and researchers gathered in Turku

In late August, EDUCA Flagship hosted a one-day seminar at the University of Turku to address current issues in education and young people's well-being. The seminar was aimed at principals and education directors from southwest Finland.

The programme combined research-based insights with practical perspectives on educational leadership, community building, student welfare, learning support, and school absenteeism.

Also EDUCA Flagship's Professors of Practice Minna Kelhä and Pia Kola-Torvinen gave their presentations during the seminar.

Our flagship’s newest Professor of Practice, Senior Researcher Minna Kelhä, former Director General of the Finnish National Agency for Education, considers the decentralized decision-making in education policy problematic. She noted that decisions related to schools are made in Finland currently by at least six different actors or "levels" in our society.

The idea for the event came from a small group of researchers and educators consisting of Niina Junttila, Emil Salovuori, Teea Laiho, Tiina Annevirta, Eeva-Liisa Markkanen, and Johanna Sergejeff.

"The seminar highlighted the importance of dialogue between research and practice. Bringing together researchers and practitioners in this way creates valuable opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration", highlighted EDUCA-Doc doctoral researcher Teea Laiho, who has a long-standing connection with the audience, having collaborated with them on development projects earlier in her career.

During the afternoon, participants engaged in group work exploring the theme of collaborative leadership in schools. The organizers encourage other EDUCA Flagship researchers to try similar initiatives accross Finland.

"It's not about a specific place or time, but about working together and having the courage to get started. In the end, the concept is simple to implement anywhere in Finland when people come together to make it happen!"

Looking ahead, EDUCA Flagship will be organizing a national seminar on school absenteeism (Kansallinen koulupoissaoloseminaari) on February 16–17, 2027 at the University of Helsinki. Researchers from several different universities specializing in this field have been invited to speak at the seminar. The registration for the event will open in October.