Explore our research activities
High quality scientific research forms the foundation of THL’s expert work, development activities and statistical production. Our statutory mission is to provide reliable information to support decision making and public discussion.
- Our research addresses key societal issues comprehensively. Our research, development and innovation activities are organised under three RDI programmes.
RDI programmes
- We conduct research together with national and international networks and partners. We bring together researchers, specialists and practitioners.
- Our research and development activities are mainly funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, the European Union (EU) and the Research Council of Finland.
In our RDI activities, we follow high quality project management practices and the principles of open science. We are committed to the guidelines of the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity and to promoting equality and non discrimination.
Innovation as part of our research and development work
For THL, an innovation is a new or significantly improved solution based on research, knowledge or data. An innovation can be for example:
- an operating model or an approach, such as the interventions by the INVEST flagship programme that targeted gaps in the welfare state
INVEST website
- a tool or a method, such as the data resource produced in the Puhti project to support the promotion of health and well being outside the service system
Puhti project
- a policy or legislative measure, such as the Tobacco Act
- a process, service or product that improves effectiveness, quality or accessibility.
Read more on the Innokylä website
An innovation is not just an idea – it is a solution that has been implemented and whose effects can be demonstrated.
You can join the national Innovation Forum, intended for professionals engaged in development work within the health and social services sector in the public sector, NGOs, educational institutions and companies.
Innovation Forum (in Finnish, Innokylä)
Innovation supports our strategy and vision – so that we can all live well.
Our research data resources
THL aims to promote the open use of its knowledge assets. We currently manage 900 nationally and internationally valuable data resources.
We provide statistics, datasets and open data on social welfare and health care to support decision making, research and development work.
Interested in collaboration?
We offer strong expertise for RDI cooperation:
- top level expertise on themes related to well being and health, enabling impactful RDI activities to develop the social and health care system
- multidisciplinary knowledge that brings broad perspectives to projects
- unique data resources that enable high impact research, development and innovation addressing timely societal questions.
Together, we can develop solutions with real societal impact.
Contact us: rdi(at)thl.fi
