Research Mobility in Brisbane: Lessons in Learning, Culture & Collaboration
The end of February in Brisbane, Australia, is sunny and warm. After long flights, a tired mind seeks refuge in the soft bed of the apartment to sleep before there’s any chance to focus on the purpose of the trip: research collaboration with Australian colleagues within the framework of my *EDLI project.
*The EDLI project, carried out as part of the JATKOT group’s subproject, is funded by the Academy of Finland and examines employees’ participation in organizational innovation activities. The project explores the roles, learning processes, and practices of employees in innovation, as well as the origins and consequences of innovations with varying levels of impact.
Long-term Collaboration and Serendipitous Events Behind the Trip
Australia plays a significant role in adult education research, particularly in the areas of workplace learning and professional skills. For example, David Bound, Ann Reich, Amanda Lizier, and Stephen Billett — just to name a few — are frequently cited Australian scholars in my group’s research. The background of my visit to Brisbane lies in a long-standing research collaboration that dates back to a time when I knew nothing about conducting research.
Colleagues at the University of Jyväskylä had been collaborating since the early 2000s with Professor Stephen Billett at Griffith University in Brisbane — a pioneer in the field of workplace learning research. Later events also led him to become the pre-examiner of my PhD thesis, completed in 2020. A couple of years after my dissertation, we met face-to-face in Jyväskylä, once the COVID restrictions had eased. It turned out we were both involved in projects focusing on learning and innovation, and their interconnections. We got the idea to write a literature review on the topic, which was published in the Journal of Workplace Learning in 2023. Following a successful co-writing process, we decided to continue planning an empirical data-driven article. The Brisbane visit started to seem more and more necessary.
The preliminary plans for the visit gained additional momentum when I attended the EAPRIL (The European Association for Practitioner Research on Improving Learning) conference in Belfast at the end of 2023. The small but active “HR and Workplace Learning” theme group provided interesting discussions, but I was particularly captivated by Stephanie MacMahon’s presentation on workplace learning research in the mining industry. After her session, I headed straight to her for a chat.
It turned out that Stephanie works at the University of Queensland — right in Brisbane! Her research team conducts multidisciplinary workplace learning and organizational development research across various industries. I shared details about my upcoming visit to Australia, and we immediately agreed it would be a great opportunity to spend time with her team as well. The funding had already been secured through my own project, so it was just a matter of selecting the timing. Spring 2025 seemed perfect in every way.
From Initial Enthusiasm to Lockdown – Writing Work Through Remote Connections
Once the worst travel fatigue had passed and I had familiarized myself with the surrounding area, it was time to put plans into action. Library card, printing options, Griffith campus locations, and, finally, the actual article writing work were on the to-do list. The first week kicked off nicely. For practical reasons, I worked for a few days in the Queensland Library’s lively children’s section, which had comfortable chairs and tables, and background noise reminiscent of a play center. During writing sessions, I paused to listen to Brazilian and Japanese children’s music lessons and observed the furrowed brows and focused faces of the young people studying in the library. Sometimes we met with collaborators over coffee, while other times we drove through Brisbane’s hilly streets.
As the week progressed, the weather forecast and news began to repeat the same warning more and more frequently: A tropical cyclone was approaching the southern Queensland coastline and seemed to be heading straight for Brisbane. This hadn’t happened in fifty years, so the situation became quite exceptional. Soon, public buildings (including universities), cafes, restaurants, most stores, and public transportation were shut down. Supermarkets remained open for a few hours, and people were advised to stay at home and stock up on food and essentials for 3-5 days.
Eventually, the cyclone weakened as it reached the coast, and the storm hit the city primarily with a few days of heavy rain, flooding, and strong winds. Griffith’s campus lost power, and the university was closed for a whole week. Co-writing was done through remote connections from the apartment.
After the Storm – The Final Week at Queensland University
During the second half of the trip, the storm passed, and clear weather returned. In the last few days as a guest at Griffith University, we allocated time to examine the latest PIAAC data (Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies) and its research potential. I participated in a PIAAC seminar and another event where I had an hour to present my research and engage in discussions on related topics. Once I got to the campus, I also met other researchers using the PIAAC data, with whom we discussed potential collaboration on utilizing the data even after my trip.
For the final week, I moved to the University of Queensland. Several meetings with researchers from different backgrounds had already been scheduled. We explored potential collaborations, particularly in police research. We discussed the possibilities of ethnography in organizational studies and reflected on the paradoxical nature of learning from the perspective of well-being. I shared ideas based on our research on the role of adult education in supporting organizational change processes.
I found my research group’s work highly respected, people’s genuine interest inspiring, and the enthusiasm for my visit truly motivating. At the end of the week, we held a one-hour session where I introduced the Department of Education and Psychology at the University of Eastern Finland and the research we are conducting in our department. I delved into the theoretical foundations of my group’s research themes, presented the latest results from my project, and shared examples from my data, which sparked lively discussions and follow-up emails. More connections between the University of Queensland’s Learning Lab and my research group were formed than I had anticipated. It was clear that it was important to continue these contacts.
Koala Spotting, New Culinary Experiences, and Live Music
Despite a few days spent entirely indoors due to the storm and surprisingly effective work, there was, of course, time to do more than just work. We spotted wild koalas on nature trails, petted kangaroos at a wildlife park, observed a bat colony on the university campus, and tried Indian vegetarian dishes at a street food restaurant. Two day trips to the coastline allowed to linger in the shade of the mangrove forests and relax at Burleigh Beach on the Pacific Ocean. Brisbane’s many different neighborhoods, along with the genuine helpfulness and friendliness of Australians, became familiar. A nearby restaurant served up the perfect combo – pizza on the plate and a vibrant mix of live music in the background.
Gratefully for this unforgettable travel experience.
-Soila, JATKOT-research group