Professor of Law and Society Kaijus Ervasti works in the Center of Law and Welfare and in Neuroethics and Law research team in UEF Neuroscience Research Community, University of Eastern Finland. “How the rights and access to justice of people and especially vulnerable people are realized in society”, Kaijus describes his key research interest and mentions especially WELGO and Varjoja paratiisissa – muistisairaan ihmisen oikeudet hyvinvointivaltiossa (VAPA) projects. 

The WELGO project aims to build institutional learning paths for syndemics management. Syndemia refers to the interactions of diseases with social and economic factors. When diseases combine with economic and social factors, the effects often strike hard. Researchers from the Neuroethics and Law research team are studying the realization of the rights of elderly and people with memory disease during the pandemic. The project is funded by The Strategic Research Council (SRC). More about the WELGO project here: https://www.uef.fi/fi/artikkeli/monitieteinen-welgo-hanke-tutkii-hyvinvoinnin-turvaamista-pandemiassa    

The aim of the VAPA project is to highlight the problems of people with memory diseases by involving people with memory diseases, their patient organizations and loved ones in research. People with memory diseases and those close to them are asked to write their stories about the legal problems, the help sought and how to solve problems. The project also uses art-based methods. The project is funded by the Kone Foundation. More about the project here: https://koneensaatio.fi/tuetut/?search_key=varjoja%20paratiisissa 

Center of Law and Welfare brings together welfare-related legal research, expertise and education from the University of Eastern Finland.  The research focuses on the rights that have a connection to the well-being at all stages of the life cycle. The researchers are also interested in the different legal aspects of welfare services; how they are defined, organized, produced and supervised. For more information about the Center of Law and Welfare please visit: https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/group/welfare-law/ 

Neuro-ethics and Law research team focuses on the patients’ rights in brain diseases and other disabilities. The aim of the research is to ensure that patients and their families, despite of the illness, have the opportunity to live a good life with dignity and to be recognised as full members of society. For more information about Neuro-ethics and Law research team please visit: https://uefconnect.uef.fi/en/group/neuro-ethics-and-law-research-team/