Kipinä – Pathway to Becoming a Researcher
Project information
Project duration
-
Funded by
Other Finnish
Project funder
Project coordinator
University of Oulu
Contact information
Project leader
- ProfessorKatariina Holma
Other persons
- PhD, University teacher
- Kaisu Alamikkelä
- Doctoral researcher
Project description
The aim of the Kipinä – Pathway to Becoming a Researcher project is to strengthen the research capabilities of undergraduate students at the Faculty of Education and Psychology during their studies and to support their progression towards applying for doctoral education. Research capabilities refer not only to developing research skills, but also to the ability to view the world of education from a researcher’s perspective and to ask well-founded and meaningful questions.
The project aims to strengthen the visibility and implementation of research-based education and research orientation across the Faculty’s degree programmes. The development work carried out within the project forms part of the Faculty’s strategy for education and research and its related measures, which concern all degree programmes within the Faculty. The development work is integrated into the Faculty’s curriculum development process.
The project is lead by professor Katariina Holma. The team members are Hennariikka Valppu-Paaso, Kaisu Alamikkelä, Anna Itkonen and Anniina Kettunen.
Project actions
The project’s key measures and objectives are to:
- Map the current research orientation of the Faculty’s degree programmes as reflected in programme objectives, curricula and curriculum implementation.
- Identify effective practices currently used across different degree programmes, as well as areas for development that support students’ readiness for further academic study.
- Develop shared studies and research methods studies across the degree programmes as part of the three-year curriculum, providing a more coherent foundation for students’ research competence.
- Increase the visibility of research groups among students and lower the threshold for students to participate in their activities.
- Spark students’ interest in research by providing concrete examples of conducting research and different career paths in research.
- Strengthen students’ research skills through peer support, mentoring and supervision.
- Create stronger links between Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis seminars and research groups, enabling students’ research orientation to develop coherently throughout the different stages of their studies.
- Support students in recognising their own potential as researchers, identifying pathways for developing that potential and encouraging them to discover and express their own spark for research.