WIL in research and doctoral studies

1. Research in WIL as concept and practice
   WIL itself is an area of research and a focus of doctoral degree programmes. Among other interests, our research examines the way the concept of WIL came about, the development of professions over time, and new forms of IT-based Work Integrated Learning. Researchers work together with representatives of industry to develop methods of organising work that enhances learning. This research is carried out as part of our vital research centre LINA: Learning in an for a New Working Life.
   
   
2. WIL-organised research
   Work Integrated Learning is a shared approach that informs almost all of the fields of research at our university. In line with the university's profile, researchers work together with our partners to develop working styles that are based upon mutual interests. This is the case both with regard to research hypotheses and the development of new knowledge and skills. The criterion that guarantees quality is a recognition of others' expertise:'we make knowledge together'. This demands from both partners an awareness of the WIL-dimension, which in turn develops working styles and improves research methods.

Production Engineering, one of our most important research environments, combines both the above-mentioned approaches to process-oriented research in the field of 'flexible industrial automation'.

Through WIL, research at our university attains high quality, high relevance and societal impact. When researchers work together with external partners on mutual problems and everyone acknowledges the others' contributions to the research, the WIL dimension improves the quality of the results, regardless of the subject or research area's focus.