

The Complexity Research Group is a multidisciplinary top research group focusing on the study and analysis of complex and wicked social phenomena.
The group's major objective is to bring together, strengthen and expand complexity research that responds to the multi-level challenges of modern society. Challenges related to the constant need for change in systems, structures and operating models and the different effects of phenomena brought about by changes.
In complexity sciences, phenomena, things or problems are considered complex when their systems are tightly intertwined and affect each other’s functioning. Thus, complexity does not mean complication, but interdependence and intertwining.
In summary, it can be said that complexity research seeks to understand the intertwining of things and events and the resulting surprising and unpredictable cumulative effects.
Currently, key research topics of the group are:
The Complexity Research Group is an open playing field for researchers, managers and developers, where the aim is to jointly develop complexity research and create strong collaborative relationships between different disciplines, organisations and individuals. The research group is headed by Research Director Petri Uusikylä.
Vaasan yliopisto järjestää kevätlukukauden 2023 aikana kuusi teemaan liittyvää asiantuntijaluentoa. Luennot on tarkoitettu kaikille aiheesta kiinnostuneille ja niille on vapaa pääsy. Voit osallistua luennoille joko paikan päällä Vaasan yliopiston päärakennuksessa tai etänä Zoom-yhteyden kautta.
Keva, a public sector employment pension insurer, launched a podcast series in cooperation with the University of Vaasa, the aim of which is to make complexity thinking known. The first episode of the podcast was recorded in November 2016. Now the podcast has reached its third season. In the discussion series, actors in different fields discuss how complexity thinking works in practice, for example in management, supervisory work and organisational development. Most of the podcast episodes are in Finnish, but we have also published in English.
Listen to an episode in English: The organisation's actions in serious crisis situations
The podcast features Stig Johannessen, Professor, Nord University and Oslo Metropolitan University (Norway).
Scientific articles
Monographies and edited books
Doctoral dissertations
Reports
Project | Duration | Actors |
---|---|---|
Safeguarding Welfare in Times of Pandemics: Towards Collaborative Governance of Syndemics (WELGO) | - | Complexity research, Management |
Palvelujen pirunpolskasta nuorten nuotteihin | - | Complexity research, Administrative Sciences, Management |
Information Resilience in a Wicked Environment (IRWIN) | - | Auditing and control in accounting, Complexity research, Accounting and Finance, Management |
The complexity network consists of managers, researchers and developers interested in complexity thinking. It includes actors from the public, private and third sectors. The operation of the national network is self-organising and informal. No one actually leads the network, but anyone can join in and, for example, invite network members to visit their organisation to address a current complex issue. For more information on the operation of the complexity network and joining the network, please contact Hanna-Kaisa Pernaa.