Pasi Karppinen to Strengthen Xamk’s Digital Economy Research 

“I originally trained as a teacher of Finnish language and literature, with art history and film studies as my minor subjects. But a traineeship at the Department of Information Processing Science in spring 2000 changed everything. In the end, I spent more than two decades working at the University of Oulu.” 

Karppinen’s doctoral research focused on information systems that support behaviour change, carried out in close collaboration with medical researchers. Over time, his research interests expanded to include serious games, XR environments and the functioning of digital services in sparsely populated areas. 

“I’ve worked across many different fields, but I was still struck by just how multidisciplinary Xamk is. My home base is the Creative Industries Research Unit, which already brings together a broad range of expertise. When I joined Xamk, I knew I would finally be able to connect my humanities background more closely with research, but I also assumed I might have to leave some of my research paths behind. I was wrong.” 

What has impressed me most is seeing how different research groups approach the same phenomenon from their own areas of strength.

As one example, Karppinen points to his most recent data collection in northern areas along Finland’s eastern border. The research highlighted citizens’ concerns about the vulnerability of digital services, particularly in situations where telecommunications connections are inadequate. Comprehensive security and resilience are also central themes within Xamk’s Digital Economy focus area. 

“What has impressed me most is seeing how different research groups approach the same phenomenon from their own areas of strength. In Kotka, cybersecurity work connects these themes directly to security. In Kouvola, creative technology experts are developing virtual and simulation-based solutions around the topic. In Mikkeli, Digitalia offers nationally unique expertise in information management, where digital security and sovereignty are also strongly emphasised.” 

Karppinen sees the key strengths of the university of applied sciences environment in the practical orientation of research, close collaboration with companies and strong regional impact. At the same time, the focus is firmly on the future. 

“Xamk’s Digital Economy focus area has an ambitious goal: to strengthen its international visibility and build distinctive expertise. The aim is to become a credible partner in international research consortia, and I want to be part of shaping that story.”

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