SUMATU - The state and future of Finnish rural research

The State and Future of Finnish Rural Studies research project examines the development, current state, and future prospects of rural studies in Finland. It also explores changes in the relationship between rural studies and rural policy, as well as the impacts of these changes on both the research and policy fields.

The project analyses and produces up-to-date knowledge on rural studies as an academic field, particularly in Finland, and identifies ongoing trends, challenges, and development needs. Key questions include: What is the position of rural studies within Finnish universities, across different academic disciplines, and within universities’ research focus areas? What funding instruments are available to rural researchers, and how do researchers perceive the future prospects for research funding? While the study focuses primarily on the Finnish context, it also includes a Nordic overview of the institutional structures of rural studies.

Regarding the relationship between rural studies and rural policy, the project examines the role of research in addressing policy-related knowledge needs and, in particular, in strengthening the evidence base of national regional and rural policy. The study also investigates how rural studies are reflected in national rural policy programmes and how different funding arrangements may influence the direction and priorities of research. Special attention is given to the ways in which research supporting rural policy is funded through sources beyond those allocated directly to national rural policy, and to the potential implications of such funding structures for research agendas.

The project is carried out as a collaboration between the Karelian Institute at the University of Eastern Finland and the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke). The principal investigator and project leader is Senior Researcher Mari Kattilakoski (University of Eastern Finland). The second principal researcher is Researcher Ella Mustakangas (Natural Resources Institute Finland). The research team also includes Doctoral Researcher Katariina Kotilainen (University of Eastern Finland). Scientific support for the project is provided by Research Professor Hilkka Vihinen (Natural Resources Institute Finland).

The project is funded by the Keskitien Foundation.