Society for the Study of Diaconia is one of the 250 Finnish Learned Societies. It was established in 2002. The aim of the society is to support and enhance study of diaconia and make diaconia and its research better known. It is a multidisciplinary learned society and it collects researchers of theology, social sciences, history, nursing and practical field workers of diaconia together.
The society is also an academic publisher. Diakonian tutkimus – The Journal for the Study of Diaconia was founded in 2004. The editor has been Adjunct Prof. Kari Latvus since 2004. The journal is peer reviewed and has been bilingual since 2009 (Finnish/English). It is published in web as well as in printed versions. The journal has two issues per year and it follows full open-access policy. With a print-run of 1200, it belongs to the forerunners in the field. Among the last English articles are two texts by John N. Collins (Is the diaconal ministry based on a misunderstanding? DT 2/2009, 133-147) and essay (From diakonia to diaconia today, DT 2/2009, 148-155). View the article in the link DT 2/2009.
The society organises an annual conference called The Day of the Study of Diaconia (Diakonian tutkimuksen päivä), where a current topic in the field of diaconia is discussed. The event takes the form of an academic conference during which well-experienced scholars hold plenary sessions and other researchers and practitioners are given an opportunity to present short papers in workshops. Since 2005 the society has given the Paintbrush-award (Sivellin palkinto) for the best thesis on a diaconal theme of the year as a part of the programme. The name indicates creativity and the search for new approaches to the practice and study of diaconia. Both undergraduate and graduate theses are eligible for the award. A special award committee is selected annually. The Sivellin-thesis award is granted every year at the annual conference.
The society has been responsible for some small-scale research as well. Every other year it has produced a survey of changing opinions and moods among professional diaconia workers in Finland. It has gained a respectable position as a reliable partner and producer of new knowledge. Therefore, the society and its representatives have often been invited to meetings and conferences arranged by the Finnish Lutheran Church, different diaconia organisations as well as the trade union of the diaconia workers.
The researchers of diaconia in Finland normally represent universities, universities for applied sciences or different research institutes. An increasing interest in the study of diaconal themes can be seen. The role of the Diaconia University for Applied Sciences has been important in the field of education. Attitudes and the professional climate is nowadays much more positive towards research than it was some years ago. There are more and more diaconia workers who conduct research either on the side or as part of their work.
The membership of the society is approximately 900. The chair of the society since 2002 is Adjunct Prof. Mikko Malkavaara. The majority of the members are diaconia workers of various parishes. Every other diaconia worker is a member of the society. The rest of the members are scholars, pastors or social workers who are interested in the study of diaconia.
