The Finnish Research Impact Foundation’s (FRIF) new board member, Maija Urponen, is a human sciences researcher and entrepreneur who has dedicated her career to promoting the societal impact of research in various roles. During her term, she aims to strengthen the connection between human sciences and the business world.
Who are you, and what motivated you to join FRIF’s Board?
“I was a bit surprised when I was approached about joining the foundation’s board. But my response was immediate: ‘Absolutely, of course I want to be part of this!’ I was happy to accept because, for the past ten years, research impact has been a central theme in my work.
I have a background in sociology and hold a PhD in gender studies. For much of my career, I worked in research services at the University of Helsinki. I also spent time in the United States learning about collaboration between human sciences researchers and businesses. For the past three years, I have been an entrepreneur at Kaupunkitutkimus TA, a company that provides research-based knowledge and research collaboration to support sustainable urban development.”
FRIF’s new strategy places a strong focus on integrating human sciences into business. You have also explored this issue in your career. What needs to happen to make this a reality?
“One challenge in human sciences is that researchers and businesses often operate in completely separate worlds. The further a researcher in human sciences advances in their career, the fewer connections they typically have with the business sector. At the same time, companies are largely unaware of what is happening on the academic side.
For human sciences to be more effectively integrated into business, both sides need to gain a better understanding of each other. It is difficult to generate demand for human sciences expertise if researchers and companies don’t recognize what they could offer one another.”
What advice would you give to researchers in human sciences looking to apply their expertise in business?
“I encourage researchers in human sciences to actively network with professionals outside academia. There are many of us working beyond the university setting. For example, LinkedIn hosts many professional discussions on topics where researchers in human sciences have valuable insights to contribute. It’s promising to see more researchers joining LinkedIn, where business representatives are already active, as this shift could help connect experts across disciplines.
There are also many conferences and events outside the academic sphere that welcome researchers as speakers. These events provide excellent opportunities to hear about the challenges businesses are tackling—challenges where human sciences researchers could offer solutions.
Another effective approach is simply reaching out to business representatives for conversations to identify shared areas of interest. Nonprofit organizations can also serve as valuable bridges between academia and business, as they often collaborate with both sectors.”
Why should a company hire a researcher in human sciences or engage in research collaboration with one?
“Human sciences expertise gives companies a broader perspective on the society they operate in. Collaboration between professionals from different academic backgrounds can lead to new ways of solving problems or overcoming roadblocks that seem otherwise insurmountable. Most importantly, human sciences researchers excel at identifying new questions and challenging old assumptions—this can spark genuinely novel ideas.
Companies conduct various studies and surveys, but human sciences offer tools to extract even deeper insights from data.
For example, in product development, ethnographic research has helped create products that truly meet people’s needs. An ethnographic approach provides a deeper understanding of how a product fits into everyday life and where it might need improvement.”
Finally, what do you hope to achieve during your term on FRIF’s Board? What are you most looking forward to?
“My goal on FRIF’s Board is to support projects that connect human sciences expertise with business. At the same time, I want to ensure that these projects are meaningful for both companies and researchers.
Human sciences-business collaboration may require us to rethink how we approach research partnerships. It might even push us to redefine the role of innovation itself. That’s why I’m excited to see what kinds of projects and results emerge during my term.”
Check out here the stories of the other new board members and read how the outgoing members view FRIF’s impact and future.
