The South Karelian Institute conducts independent scientific research while also participating in research and survey projects initiated by various operators in the region. As a flexible unit, the institute is able to address current research projects quickly.
The special expertise of the institute concerns social, cultural, and environmental questions in border areas with a special focus on South Karelia. The research activities of the Institute also extend to the Karelian Isthmus area. The Institute’s research activities are dominated by three main lines of research: border (Russia, cultural conflict, border, immigrants, language), water (Lake Saimaa, River Vuoksi, Lake Ladoga, environmental protection, tourism), and identity (region, university, image, language, and culture).
The South Karelian Institute’s research strategy encompasses both long- and short-term research projects. The objective has been to establish a long-term research programme based on the South Karelian research strategy, on which the institute would be able to construct its future operations.
Long-term research projects generate basic research information on the social, economic, and cultural development of the region and its surrounding areas while short-term research projects concentrate on smaller, closely defined subjects.
The research programme is mainly concerned with South Karelia, but the themes and problems addressed have both national and international significance and the theoretical and methodical starting points are scientifically ambitious and of high quality.
The South Karelian Institute creates a suitable setting for research projects, finding experts with special skills in the region and outside it where necessary.
The institute issues a publication and report series, in which research results, article collections, and reports are published. Some of the publications issued in the series are listed on this web page under Publications.
Expert services
The institute offers expert services in its areas of expertise. Knowledge gained through research is made to benefit the region as quickly as possible. In addition to research, the institute organizes several public lectures, lecture series, scientific seminars, and congresses on topical themes every year.