The international UPSCALE project constructs knowledge with health and welfare technology users and, based on that, produces transition pathways for policymakers and other stakeholders.
UPSCALE brings together four research partners: Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT (Finland) as the coordinator, Utrecht University (The Netherlands), Sophiahemmet University (Sweden) and University of Agder (Norway). The three-year project started on 1 May 2024.
UPSCALE investigates the needs of various health and welfare technology users, such as older adults, their interaction with the health and care service structure, and how health and welfare technology -related services could be developed or built on the user-centred understanding.
We explore the emergence of health and welfare technology use in the ageing societies, paying special attention to user diversity. It is important to produce research-based future transition pathways for organizing sustainable health and care services
says Satu Pekkarinen, UPSCALE’s coordinator and professor from LUT University.
UPSCALE comprises international interdisciplinary research
User data are gathered via interdisciplinary methods spanning from interviews and participatory knowledge co-creation to a broad international survey, and both from the society level and country-specific case studies. The forerunning European survey’s results are expected to create value for both the civil society, public sector, and industry. UPSCALE’s findings will be formalized into a set of policy briefs.
Centre for e-health at the University of Agder (UiA), leads UPSCALE’s work in the examination of the current understanding of users of health and welfare technology as part of transitions. The centre is bringing its expertise in knowledge in participatory methods, user-driven innovations, communication and social inclusion to UPSCALE.
being part of the UPSCALE project provides a unique opportunity to work interdisciplinary, which is essential for the development of sustainable use of health and welfare technology in the future
says Elin Thygesen, professor and academic lead at the Centre for e-health, UiA.
UPSCALE has received funding from Research Council of Finland, Dutch Research Council, Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare, and The Research Council of Norway under the framework the co-fund partnership of Transforming Health and Care Systems, THCS (GA No. 101095654 of the EU Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme).
- elin.thygesen@uia.no
- Phone
- +47 38 14 18 52