Renewing Working life
We promote a sustainable working life in which skilled and diverse work communities form the foundation for well-being and productivity.
We define the objectives and solutions in close cooperation with working life, taking into account future competence needs and foresight information.
We work for tomorrow´s sustainable working life with research and development
Developing a competent working life for the future
We live in a state of continuous change, which requires adaptability, goal orientation, and the right mindset for growth and renewal. The operating environment challenges both work communities and leadership to evolve. By investing in human capital, we build a productive working life for the future.
We renew collaboration models between higher education institutions and workplaces and produce RDI (research, development and innovation) solutions to support learning work communities. Needs arise from working life itself and are addressed collaboratively, making use of available regional, national, and international project funding.
Key thematic areas:
- Foresight and working-life-oriented competence development and leadership
- The future of work and new ways of working
- Supporting industry RDI capabilities
- Resilience and preparedness


Sustainable working life
Today´s working life faces a wide range of social, ecological, and economic sustainability challenges. A working life that supports well-being, competence, and environmental values also enhances productivity. This requires investment in people.
We promote the development of a sustainable working life by drawing on research as well as various project funding instruments and consortia.
Key thematic areas:
- Sustainability thinking and leadership as a strategic choice
- Work ability management and support for work ability
- Diversity as a resource in work communities
Research
We carry out high-quality academic research related to the phenomena of renewing working life. Current research topics include psycho-social factors and quality of work in the sector of social services and health care as well as in the rescue services, and transformative agency. We also conduct research for the Social Insurance Institution of FInland Kela on adjustment raining for people living with cancer.
Explore our latest publications:
Kuismala, L., Jääskelä, P., Kuoppala, E. & Kärkkäinen, T. (08 Jan 2026): Transformative agency for lifelong learning, Journal of Further and Higher Education,
DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2025.2611933
Nordquist, H., Korpela, S. Effect of change on psychological performance in rescue services personnel in Finland – a qualitative interview study. J Occup Med Toxicol 20, 26 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12995-025-00475-4
Hult, M., Ring, M., Siranko, H., & Kangasniemi, M. (2024). Decent and precarious work among nursing and care workers: a mixed-method systematic review. Journal of Advanced Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1111/JAN.16572
Korpela, S., Nordquist, H. Supporting emergency service workers to cope with critical incidents that can lead to psychological burden at work – developing skills in the Post Critical Incident Seminar: a qualitative interview study. BMC Psychol 12, 44 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-024-01534-x

Read more about our projects
Sufficiency solutions for a resilient, green, and just Finland (SISU)
Social Circular Food Webs – Socially inclusive circular solutions for food waste prevention
Time for (S)heroes in fashion, costume design, and art installations for sustainable future, zero waste, digital processes, and co-design
ReSolutions – Innovative solutions to enhance the recycling of goods
Sustainable Industrial Waters – SIWat
AI enhanced cross-border archives – ArchXAI
BeScaled
Introduction of nature and culture sites for locals and visitors – INACS
Digimaris Project
BioReno – Bio-based materials and hybrid structural solutions for renovation
Jelppis – a coordination and communication project for citizen-led development
Forward in European Cluster Cooperation – Systematization of South Savo Food Cluster Operations
INGUMA – Reducing the footprint of consumer products with public dialogue and innovative bio-based materials
Water Safety – A smart piloting environment for developing water safety
Kareva – Enhancing International Recruitment Readiness
Contact us for more information
As a head of research group my main task is to promote and support the work of my team members and facilitating project preparation.
Työskentelen projektipäällikkönä kahdessa Kestävän hyvinvoinnin vahvuusalueellemme sijoittuvassa hankkeessa. Kiinnityn pääasiallisesti Uudistuvan työelämän tutkimusryhmän innostavaan ja monialaiseen tiimiin, mutta työskentelen myös ajoittain osana Nuorisoalan tutkimus- ja kehittämisyksikön Juvenian luovaa asiantuntijayhteisöä.
International House Kouvola- hanke (ESR) sijoittuu Uudistuvan työelämän tutkimusryhmän alaisuuteen. Hankkeen tavoitteena on luoda innovatiivinen ja yhteistoimijoiden asiantuntijuudesta muodostuva International House Kouvola yhteispalvelu, joka tarjoaa systematisoitua, sujuvaa ja oikea-aikaista palvelua maahanmuuttaneille ihmisille Kouvolan alueella. Hankkeen tavoitteena on rakentaa uudenlainen toimintamalli, joka perustuu synergisoituun allianssimalliin.
KymiUnited: Museot maahanmuuttajien osallisuuden edistäjinä Kymenlaaksossa hanke (ESR) sijoittuu Juvenian alaisuuteen. Hnakkeen tavoitteena tavoitteena on edistää nuorten aikuisten maahanmuuttajien osallisuutta ja pärjäävyyttä sekä aktiivisen, monipaikkaisen identiteetin kehittymistä museotoiminnan kautta inklusiivisin, kulttuurisin menetelmin.
#yhteiskehittäminen #dialogisuus # yhdessäenemmän #kestävätulevaisuus #ihmistenjohtaminen #osaamisenkehittäminen
My Work at Xamk:
I work as a work ability management developer in the project called Tailored Work, focusing on business partnerships and networks. I assist companies in tailoring their work ability management models to be impactful and responsive to individual needs. During the project, we will publish content and trainings that benefit all small and medium-sized enterprises.
My Skills:
- Work Ability Management
- Occupational Safety Management
- Networks
- Project Management
I work as a development coordinator of continuous learning in the Open University of Applied Sciences and Continuing Education (Xamk Pulse), where my work includes the coordination of educational development projects and the internationalisation of continuous learning, and the development of cooperation between RDI and continuous learning.
I work as a Finnish language and communication teacher and currently as an expert in the Monivoima project. I have taught in various programs, primarily in business administration and information technology. I serve as a language advisor for theses and also as a supervisor in thesis assistance. I am a member of Xamk’s accessibility working group. Accessibility in its various forms, especially clear language, is important to me. These principles guide my teaching and other work. I also have training as a language consultant. Additionally, I am a digital mentor and involved in pedagogical training.
- communication in the work community
- language and text maintenance
- digital pedagogy
- language and cultural competence