The PATHWAYS project follows young people who have recently moved to Finland as they transition from preparatory education to basic education or upper secondary education and on to more independent participation in Finnish society.
The multi-method study utilizes quantitative data already collected on the development of students’ skills and their attachment to school during preparatory education in 2024 and 2025, and combines it with information on the later school paths of the same students. The picture will be refined with observational data from classrooms and youth communities, network maps, interviews, and photographic art created by young people under the guidance of professional artists.
PATHWAYS will show what kinds of conditions and actions in schools and society promote the success of immigrant youth. The results will be put into practice through peer mentoring, teacher training, and art exhibitions. The results can be used to develop more equitable education and immigration policies.
Funding
Research Council of Finland (2025-2029)
Partners
An important partner in the project is Tiuku ry.
Tiuku ry is a strong network of artists and researchers that brings reliable research-based knowledge into public discussion through the power of art. In our project, Tiuku’s artists work together with researchers to lead the arts-based component, combining scientific insights with creative expression and participatory methods.
At the core of Tiuku’s work is the continuous dialogue between art and science – integrating them in ways that make complex phenomena understandable, tangible, and shareable. A central mission for Tiuku is to provide young people with new ways to be heard: a safe space where their voices, experiences, and perspectives can take on visible and meaningful forms.