{"id":3109,"date":"2019-02-22T10:57:23","date_gmt":"2019-02-22T07:57:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/etmu.fi\/?page_id=3109"},"modified":"2021-04-19T00:59:31","modified_gmt":"2021-04-18T21:59:31","slug":"strategy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/etmu.fi\/en\/strategy\/","title":{"rendered":"ETMU Strategy 2019\u20132021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNCTIONAL ENVIRONMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the past few years, the functional environment of the Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration (ETMU) has been influenced by significant changes in Finnish science policy and society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The political climate in Finland, as in Europe more broadly speaking, has become more polarized, especially in matters related to international migration, ethnic relations, and integration. The current public discussions have, on the one hand, called for critical research on questions that ETMU\u2019s members specialize in. On the other hand, researchers in many fields have observed that the appreciation of scientific knowledge in decision-making has decreased. Thus, the situation is ambivalent from the perspective of the scientific community, which highlights the need to define the role of scientific societies in promoting the value of science in public discussions and in society at large.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The current discussions, and the policies accompanying them, have also motivated many scholars to become more active citizens. Some have found it challenging to balance the roles of a researcher, an advocate, and an activist. There are also diverging opinions in the research field regarding the extent to which researchers should engage in activism from their position as a researcher. These on-going discussions accentuate the need for ETMU to articulate its position as a civil society actor in this regard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In science policy, a positive development is the increased discussion on open research and research ethics in Finland. This is particularly welcome in the field that ETMU represents. Making research accessible is a laudable goal, as long as it is done in an ethical manner. Moreover, in ETMU\u2019s research field, it is important to consider the benefits of research and the accessibility of results to those who participate in research projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relatedly, science communication has changed in recent years because of the increasing demand for popularized and open-access science. Research funders also expect active dissemination of research findings to different audiences. These developments have created a need for avenues for popular science publishing, which make use of social media platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All these changes in the functional environment underline the need to clarify ETMU\u2019s role as a scientific society, educator, civil society actor, science communicator, and an organization that is responsive to its members\u2019 needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MISSION<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Society for the Study of Ethnic Relations and International Migration (ETMU) is a multidisciplinary scientific association established in 2003 to promote research in this field in Finland. Research on ethnic relations and international migration is understood broadly to cover themes such as forced migration, multiculturalism, racism, nationalism, integration, minority rights, citizenship, and other related subjects. More specifically, ETMU:<\/p>\n\n\n\n