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kompleksisuus

Complexity Research Group

What is complexity research?

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:

  • Understanding the meaning of a complex world
  • Systemic models of societal decision-making and control
  • Innovation and value creation at different levels of society
  • Social and healthcare ecosystems, services and management
  • Preparation of foresight information and risk analyses to support decision-making

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.

Ilmoittaudu kevään yleisöluennoille Kokonaisturvallisuuden Studia Generalia -luentosarja

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.

Podcast

A podcast introducing complexity thinking

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).

Blogi: Elävä Emergenssi

Research projects

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

Our complexity researchers on Twitter #kompleksisuus

Research group members

Kuva
Harri Jalonen

Harri Jalonen

Professor
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498596
Toimisto
Fabriikki F320
Open profile page
Kuva
Petri Uusikylä

Petri Uusikylä

Research Director
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Open profile page
Kuva
Juha Lindell

Juha Lindell

University Lecturer
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498380
Toimisto
Fabriikki F322
Open profile page
Kuva
Harri Raisio

Harri Raisio

University Lecturer
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498589
Toimisto
Fabriikki F324
Open profile page
Kuva
Kaisa Kurkela

Kaisa Kurkela

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498783
Open profile page
Kuva
Pirkko Vartiainen

Pirkko Vartiainen

Professor Emerita
School of Management, Social and Health Management
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498349
Open profile page
Kuva
Niklas Lundström

Niklas Lundström

Senior Specialist in Doctoral Education
University Services, Research Services and Graduate School
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Puhelin
+358294498381
Toimisto
Torni 5. krs
Open profile page

National Complexity Network

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.