The establishment of the professorship will provide high-quality research data that stakeholders and educational institutions in the experience economy can utilize. The professorship is connected to a research and education program aimed at creating new understanding of the networks within the experience economy and developing expertise to meet the needs of business and public organizations. Applications for the professorship opened on April 24, 2024.
– Experience economy is a rapidly growing global industry that diversifies the economic structure of cities. Tampere is known for its wide range of experiences. The professorship supports the operating conditions of Finnish experience economy companies and organizations, and Tampere is an excellent testing ground for research in this field, says Kalervo Kummola, Mayor of the city of Tampere.
– Through research in the experience economy and the associated professorship, we aim to find solutions for the holistic well-being of citizens while promoting business activities in the field. By transferring researched knowledge and expertise into practice, we further enhance the attractiveness of our region, says Keijo Hämäläinen, rector of the University of Tampere.
Tampere is developing the experience economy alongside other industries, with the current city council term seeing the implementation of an experience economy development program whose main goal is for Tampere to be recognized as an international hub for creative industries and experience industries. According to a study conducted as part of the Pirkanmaa creative industries ecosystem project, the turnover of the experience economy in the Pirkanmaa region was approximately 592 million euros in 2022.
– The experience economy is an important part of developing the city's economic structure and building its attractiveness, comfort, and competitiveness. Through the professorship, we gain important global and national industry insights to support development, says Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki, Executive Director, Economic Development, Competence and Real Estate Services of the city of Tampere.
The City of Tampere is contributing to the establishment of the professorship. In December 2023, the Tampere vitality and competence committee granted a subsidy of 50,000 euros for financing the professorship. The city will fund the professorship and initial research and teaching activities from 2025 to 2028 with a total of 400,000 euros, subject to annual approval of the project budget by the city council.
In addition to the city, the initial funding partners for the professorship include Noho Partners, the Tampere Chamber of Commerce, the Finnish Ice Hockey League (SM-liiga), the Finnish Ice Hockey Association, the Tampere Business Education Foundation, and Tampere Trade Fairs. The project's partner network will be further expanded during 2024–2025.
More information
Anna-Kaisa Heinämäki
0406397701
Correction on April 25, 2024, at 16:36: The headline and lead of the news article have been changed, and the claim that this is the world's first professorship in experience economy has been removed.
