Borrow a researcher for an hour – top digital experts offer free Skype conversations and coaching 10-14 February

Sustainable economic growth and well-being require thoroughly researched information. That's why the Digital Disruption of Industry Consortium, funded by the Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland and led by Aalto University, wants to bring the expertise of its researchers to citizens, media, politicians, businesses and communities through a one-hour free Skype chat.

The Call a Researcher week is now being implemented for the third time. Previously, the expertise of some twenty researchers was used by start-ups, industry, media, ministries, banks and municipalities, among others.

Last time, the opportunity was taken up by, for example, startup entrepreneur Jussi Simolin from Innoduel, a company developing employee engagement tools.

 “We want to prove to potential clients, the leaders, that listening and engaging are also good for business. For that we need scientific facts,” Simolin says.

Simolin praises the process as easy and rewarding. Researcher Jukka Bergman from LUT University was clearly prepared for the discussion in advance.

“We continued the dialogue in another call. As an entrepreneur, I need just this kind of service - an easy way to contact an expert who will give you time and advice. Awesome service!”

During the last Call a Researcher week, Kari Hiekkanen, Research Fellow at Aalto University focusing on artificial intelligence and data economics, saw how digitalisation looks to people from different backgrounds.

"It motivated me to think how complex phenomena can be better described, explained, concretized and brought into the public debate. I believe that the callers gained new insights and help in addressing their issues and the general understanding of the opportunities and implications of digitalisation increased.”

Twelve researchers from Aalto University, LUT University and VTT will participate in the Call a Researcher week in February. Topics include e.g. artificial intelligence, industrial internet, data sharing, circular economy, platform economy, ecosystems and technology applications in manufacturing, the built environment and well-being.

The discussions are confidential, but it is the responsibility of everyone who booked the time not to reveal business secrets.

See the researchers involved and instructions for booking at

http://bit.ly/callaresearcher

For more information:

Suvi Lavinto
Communications Specialist, Aalto University
tel. +358 50 3615568