The Weakening Connection Between Education and Research

A Study of Three University Departments

Abstract

The focus of this article is on the relationship between research and education. The argument is that recent policy developments and the increasing emphasis on commercialisation and profitability of university activities weakens the connection of education and research. In this article, general characteristics of development of universities and university policy in Finland are summarised. Main subjects of the analysis are three university departments that are situated in three different Finnish universities. The concept of connection between research and education is explored and tested in these three cases. The relationship between research and education and its erosion is analysed with the help of four definitions of education’s research connection. The article shows that regardless of the definition, the connection between research and education is becoming fragile as a result of practical, instrumental and commercial aspirations of university activities.