Jussi Välimaa is the new Director of the Finnish Institute for Educational Research (FIER)

Professor Jussi Välimaa started in his new post at the University of Jyväskylä as the Director of the FIER on 1 August 2017. The Director is also working as a professor of educational research.

Before this appointment Jussi Välimaa worked at the FIER as a professor of higher education research. He has been working at the University of Jyväskylä since 1984, and at the FIER since 1988 and as a professor since 2001. He holds a PhD degree. In his research Välimaa has analysed higher education by empirical methods and also promoted theoretical discussion on higher education research while contributing to the international community of researchers.

He is an active member in a number of national and international organisations of this field. He is presently the chair of an international organisation for higher education researchers. Välimaa has also had numerous international and domestic evaluation posts, e.g. as a member of the Finnish Higher Education Evaluation Council in 2012-13. In addition, Professor Välimaa has been leading several national and international research projects.

- A prime challenge to the FIER is to do high-standard scientific research that opens up perspectives on educational phenomena as well as produces reliable information to support both national policymaking and the operation of educational institutes, Director Jussi Välimaa defines.

Välimaa is now leading the most distinguished Finnish unit for educational research, with a staff of approximately 80 persons. The Institute was established in 1968 and is operating as an independent institute of the University of Jyväskylä. FIER research domains cover the whole education system from basic to higher education, adult learning and the relationships between education and the world of work. Also learning outside the education system, like at work and in online environments, is included in the research targets. The FIER is specialised in large-scale international comparative studies, the most famous one of which is PISA. The Institute also carries out various studies to promote learning at national and regional levels as well as to support the operation of individual schools.

Further information:

Director, Professor Jussi Välimaa, tel. +358 400 248 112, jussi.p.valimaa@jyu.fi