Diaconia University of Applied Sciences has 3,000 students and trains young people to become professionals in Social Care and Health at the Bachelor and Master levels. About one third of the students also gain an additional qualification for church youth and diaconal work. The University operates on four campuses throughout Finland.
A strong research orientation has been developed in recent years. Three research programmes employ more than ten researchers full time on a permanent basis, plus a number of short-term project researchers. One of the three, the church-related research programme, includes diaconia as one of its main subjects. Diak R&D work accounts for a total of 40 manpower years annually. Diaconia research finds itself in a multidisciplinary and multifaceted research framework.
Congenially, being part of a segment of an institution and training the largest amount of workers in social services in Finland, as well as being strong in health education, diaconia research relates to its institutional background. Diaconia research was active in developing methods for socially relevant and effective diaconia work during the 1990s, when a severe economic recession hit Finland.
In research methodology, appropriate approaches need to be continuously revised and adapted. In addition to studies utilising a set of sociological methods and conducted in response to societal developments, fundamental theological and historical research is needed. Such issues include the nature and interpretation of the concept of diaconia or caritas.
The diaconia research initiatives at Diak are ecumenically open, and contributions to the encounter of religions in society are promoted. The presence of Islam in European societies is an area of special interest. In general, the scope of research activities ranges from marginalisation issues to the theme of cohesion.
At the moment, diaconia research at Diak is exploring ways to intensify European cooperation in this research through a networking and study process called “Church-Based Institutions of Higher Education against Marginalisation” – CaM: The aim of the process is to strengthen research networks and initiate European research projects.
We welcome you to get connected through www.diakresearch.fi
