Towards socially inclusive digital society (DigiIN)
The research was funded by Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland.
Main funder
Funder's project number: 352505
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 219 600,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/09/2022
Project end date: 31/08/2025
Summary
The number of digital health and social welfare services is increasing unprecedentedly fast in Finland. The rapid change demands a cultural change from organisations, professionals and clients. Clients are expected to step into a more skilled and active role, while professionals need to change their work processes and professional identity. There is a severe risk that new digital services will increase social exclusion if the service culture is not sufficiently adapted to support the potentially vulnerable groups such as older people, migrants and the socially marginalised. The present project focuses on the digitalisation of health and social welfare services and aims to find solutions to keep everybody along and alleviate the social inequality in the increasingly digitalised society. We address these issues in five, inter-linked work packages: 1) Preventing social exclusion with usable, accessible and engaging digital
services; 2) Promoting organisations’ and professionals’ new service and work culture; 3) Tackling the challenges of digitalisation in a multicultural society; 4) Enhancing the inclusion of older people in digital service culture; and 5) Supporting socially marginalised groups with the use of digitalised public services.
To get a broad view of the phenomenon we use a wide range of research methods. We utilise large national panel and cross-sectional surveys targeted to digital service providers, professionals and specific groups at risk of exclusion. To get a more in-depth view, we use qualitative methods such as case studies, digital service pilots, policy analyses, interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic methods. Co- creation and inclusive design approach are highlighted.
services; 2) Promoting organisations’ and professionals’ new service and work culture; 3) Tackling the challenges of digitalisation in a multicultural society; 4) Enhancing the inclusion of older people in digital service culture; and 5) Supporting socially marginalised groups with the use of digitalised public services.
To get a broad view of the phenomenon we use a wide range of research methods. We utilise large national panel and cross-sectional surveys targeted to digital service providers, professionals and specific groups at risk of exclusion. To get a more in-depth view, we use qualitative methods such as case studies, digital service pilots, policy analyses, interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic methods. Co- creation and inclusive design approach are highlighted.
