Round table discussion: Towards inclusive and responsible language policies in higher education institutions

FUURT will organise a round table discussion at the Spring Forum for International Affairs 2023. The session tackles the issue of language in Finnish higher education, asking what kind of language policy would be inclusive and responsible.

The Spring Forum for International Affairs will be held from 3 to 5 May at Aalto University, Otaniemi campus. The theme of the Spring Forum 2023 is Internationality in Transition. The event is organised by The Finnish National Agency for Education and Aalto University.

FUURT will hold a round table discussion on Thursday, 4 May from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. The session tackles the issue of language in Finnish higher education and society at large. How can we increase inclusion of internationals in Finland, while at the same time safeguard our national languages? What kind of language policy would be inclusive and responsible?

The discussion will begin with presentations by Project Researcher Sara Backman (University of Eastern Finland), a researcher in “English in coexistence with the national languages in Finland” project, and by Academy Researcher Fellow Derek Ruez and Doctoral Researcher Vesna Holubek (Tampere University), makers of the “Survey on experiences of international members of Tampere universities”. FUURT Senior Adviser Miia Ijäs-Idrobo chairs the discussion.

See the programme and register for the event on Aalto University’s website!