You are invited to this week’s special talk organized by the Department of Psychology.
Everyone is welcome to attend!
Title: Psychology in Action: Meeting Societal Challenges through Research
Speaker: Prof. Dr. Timo Juhani Lajunen, Professor in Community and Social Psychology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Date: 04.04.2025, Friday
Time: 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Room: A 130
- For those who are unable to attend in person, please request zoom information from the department.
Abstract:
Psychology has the power to improve lives by addressing some of the most pressing societal challenges. In this keynote, I will present an overview of my research journey, demonstrating how psychological insights can be applied across different domains. Through examples from traffic psychology, social psychology, and health psychology, I will highlight the practical implications of psychological research. In traffic psychology, I have explored how elderly drivers perceive vehicle automation and self-driving technologies, shedding light on the psychological factors influencing acceptance of new mobility solutions. In health psychology, my research has examined self-medication with antibiotics, identifying key behavioral drivers of this widespread issue. In social psychology, I have investigated vaccine acceptance among Polish minorities in Norway, comparing their attitudes with those of ethnic Norwegians and Polish populations in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Looking ahead, I will discuss future research directions, focusing on emerging challenges and technological advancements. This includes the integration of artificial intelligence and large language models in education and psychotherapy, the growing influence of political and value polarization among young adults, and the ongoing youth mental health crisis shaped by social media and smartphone use. By bridging research with real-world applications, psychology has the potential to contribute meaningful solutions to contemporary societal issues. This talk aims to inspire discussion on how psychological research can continue evolving to meet the demands of an increasingly complex world.
Biography
Dr. Timo Juhani Lajunen has been a Professor of Community and Social Psychology since 2012 and has had an extensive international career, working at five universities across five countries. He holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Helsinki (1997) and has been a professor and researcher in psychology for over two decades. His research focuses on traffic psychology, health psychology, environmental psychology, personality psychology, and emerging issues in digital mental health.
With over 270 published works, more than 14,100 citations, and an H-index of 58 (Google Scholar), he has significantly contributed to multiple fields of psychology. He has successfully secured major research funding, including grants from the European Union, national funding agencies, and private foundations, leading several high-profile international projects. A recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the Traffic Safety Award from the Finnish Ministry of Transportation (2020) and the Turkish Academy of Science Young Scientists’ Award (2002), he has played a key role in advancing research on road safety, psychological well-being, and the impact of technology on human behavior.
In addition to his research, he has a strong teaching background, supervising numerous Ph.D. and M.S. theses and teaching courses in community psychology, traffic psychology, research methods, and statistics. He has also held editorial positions in several scientific journals, contributing to the advancement of research in his fields of expertise.
His current research interests include the use of AI and large language models in education and psychotherapy, value polarization among young adults, and the role of social media and smartphones in the mental health crisis among teenagers and young adults.
We hope to see you there!