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“Until now, learning difficulties and related socio-emotional problems have largely been studied in ‘silos’ based on diagnostic categories, thus lacking a comprehensive understanding of the overlaps, underlying factors and interconnections between these problems,” says Professor Paavo Leppänen from the Ģ��ֱ��’s Department of Psychology.

The InterLearn Centre of Excellence, led by the Ģ��ֱ��, will be investigating the neurobiological, cognitive, emotional, motivational and environmental factors underlying learning difficulties and associated socioemotional problems. The team will also explore how these factors are interrelated and why some people cope well and others less well with the demands of a rapidly changing society. One of the objectives is to use intervention research to identify factors that support or hinder the benefits of learning support provided at school.

Focus on learning difficulties

The focus of this research is on learning difficulties, which affect around 10% to 20% of the population. Learning difficulties are known to have a major impact on both individual wellbeing and quality of life. These difficulties have economic implications too, through educational careers, and employment as well as in health and social care.

Professor of Special Education Mikko Aro explains further: “A common finding from intervention studies on learning disabilities is that there is considerable individual variation in response to support, with some people who receive support not benefiting at all from interventions identified as effective at the group level. Our aim is to identify factors that explain this individual variation. Based on this information, we will develop new types of support in schools.”

The research unit aims to identify developmental pathways where children are at increased risk of developing both learning difficulties and socioemotional problems. Long-term research funding of eight years will allow for a broad study of phenomena and understanding of their interconnections.

The research team

The Centre of Excellence and the research team of the Department of Psychology at the Ģ��ֱ�� are led by Professor Paavo Leppänen. Professor Mikko Aro is the leader of the research group in the Department of Education, and Associate Professor Riikka Korja is the leader of the research group in the Department of Psychology and Speech-Language Pathology at the University of Turku. The Turku research group is strongly linked to the longitudinal study FinnBrain Research.

In addition to Leppänen and Aro, the Ģ��ֱ��'s research groups are led by Professors Kaisa Aunola, Jarmo Hämäläinen, Raija Hämäläinen, Hannu Savolainen, Asko Tolvanen and Associate Professors Tuija Aro, Piia Astikainen, Tuire Koponen and Minna Torppa.

In October 2021, the Academy of Finland selected the new Centre of Excellence in Research for the period 2022–2029. The Ģ��ֱ�� will lead three new Centres of Excellence in Research.