Participants from 15 countries attended research conference ISCAR

A total of 80 participants from 15 countries around the world took part, and through hosting the event, the university strengthens its position and development in the field, particularly in connection with its profile in Work-Integrated Learning (WIL).

The university also hosts an international center for this research – the “CAT” Centre for Activity Theory.

Opening ceremony

The conference was opened by Vice-Chancellor Mats Jägstam, who encouraged everyone to take the opportunity to discuss, reflect, and develop new knowledge:
“We need you and your knowledge to create a better tomorrow. Together, we make change happen.”

Annalisa Sannino, President of ISCAR NB, also spoke at the opening and emphasized that University West was a perfect environment for this conference due to its focus on Work-Integrated Learning.

"Our research in this field has a key role to play in a very troubled world. Here, we cross boundaries in various ways, which I hope we will continue to do during these days."

As part of the organizing committee, Professor Ulrika Lundh Snis, specializing in Informatics with a focus on Work-Integrated Learning at UNiversity West, coordinated the event.

"University West places great value on its international engagement and networks. This time, the aim was to promote collaboration and knowledge exchange within Activity Theory, which made a stop here. We are very proud to host this prestigious conference in the field."

During the event, there were parallel seminars, poster sessions, panel discussions, and two highly appreciated keynotes by Prof. Susanne Bødker and Prof. Marco Querol.

Parellel seminar

One of the researchers who participated was Monika Hattinger, PhD in Informatics with a focus on Work-Integrated Learning at University West. In her presentation, she spoke on the theme: “Human-centric Transformative Agency in Complex Industrial Work: A Study of unplanned production stops and restart"

The aim of Monika's project is to explore the interaction between human agency and a complex production context involving unplanned machine stops and restarts. The case study in Monika’s research project is a Swedish manufacturing company specializing in mass production of crankshafts for lawnmowers, saws, etc. In a Change Laboratory with eight workshop sessions during 2023–2024, disruptions on the shop floor and stress were discussed.

Award ceremony

The conference concluded with an award ceremony:

• Outstanding Scholarly Contribution and Service Award to Professor May Britt Postholm
• Emergent Outstanding Scholar Award to Camilla Finsterbach Kaup
• Memorial Award to Professor Pentti Hakkarainen