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Diversity and Mul­ti­lin­gual­ism Research Group

The Diversity and Multilingualism research group (DiLing) conducts interdisciplinary research to advance collaboration among individuals from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Our research aims to develop innovative and inclusive solutions that support integration, language learning, and diversity management in various societal and professional contexts.

Research themes

  • Collaborative innovation and Living Labs – Developing participatory research and co-creation methodologies. 
  • Integration, language learning, and inclusion – Exploring effective models for supporting multilingual learners and international professionals. 
  • Workplace diversity and multilingualism – Investigating strategies for inclusive work environments and professional language learning. 
  • Diversity management – Developing frameworks for equitable and culturally sensitive leadership and organizational practices. 

We develop flexible, adaptive, and inclusive approaches that address the complexities of multilingual work environments, education, and social integration. Our work is based on human-centeredness, participation, and cultural awareness, ensuring that language diversity is seen as a resource rather than a challenge. 

The DiLing research group is closely linked to the Service Innovation and Design Master’s degree programme and contributes to Laurea’s three research programmes: 

Integration and Language Learning Living Lab (i4L Living Lab) is strongly present in our research activities.

Reserach Group Leader

Alina Leminen
alina.leminen@laurea.fi

Contact us

Pub­li­ca­tions

  • Selected peer-reviewed pub­li­ca­tions 

    Lydén, H., Rivera-Macias, B. & Leminen, A. (in press) Spanning the boundaries of language through LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®. In: Pääkkönen, T. & Miettinen, S. (eds) Boundary Spanning Design for Better Organisation: Integrating Design, Organisation and Artificial Intelligence. Cheltenham, UK and Northampton, MA, USA: Edward Elgar Publishing 

    Tahvanainen, L., Lydén, H., Nummila, P., Jylkäs, T., Miettinen, S. (2024). Designing Innovations for Occupational Well-Being in Healthcare. In: Pfannstiel, M.A., Kueh, C., Palozzi, G. (eds) Service Design, Creativity, and Innovation in Healthcare. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-65766-5_21 

    Lydén, H., Suoheimo, M., Leminen, A.,and Miettinen, S.(2023) Immigrant Integration through Codesign – A Journey Map of integration into working life, in De Sainz Molestina, D., Galluzzo, L., Rizzo, F., Spallazzo, D. (eds.), IASDR 2023: Life-Changing Design, 9-13 October, Milan, Italy. https://doi.org/10.21606/iasdr.2023.294 

    Leminen, M., & Leminen, A. (2023). How do we get the brain to tell us about language computations and representations? Designing and implementing experiments. In M. Grimaldi, E. Brattico & Y. Shtyrov. (eds). Language Electrified: Principles, Methods, and Future Perspectives of Investigation, Neuromethods, vol. 202. Springer Science+Business Media. 

    Leminen, A., Partanen, E., & Shtyrov, Y. (2023). Electrophysiology of word learning. In M. Grimaldi, E. Brattico & Y. Shtyrov. (eds). Language Electrified: Principles, Methods, and Future Perspectives of Investigation, Neuromethods, vol. 202. Springer Science+Business Media. 

    Kimppa, L., Leminen, A., Festman, J., Sirri, L. (2022). Editorial: Neurobehavioral changes in language learning. Frontiers in Communication, 7:1003686. doi: 10.3389/fcomm.2022.1003686 

    Blumgrund, I., Lydén, H., & Leminen, A. (2022). Migrin teologia turvapaikkapäätösten valossa. Diakonian tutkimus, (2). https://doi.org/10.37448/dt.112493 

  • Selected pro­fes­sional pub­li­ca­tions 

    Rivera-Macias, B. (2024). Bridging international students’ Finnish language skills and their professional development. The case of Laurea’s nursing students. Laurea Journal. https://journal.laurea.fi/bridging-international-students-finnish-language-skills-and-their-professional-development-the-case-of-laureas-nursing-students/#5cec7e4e 

    Särkkä, H. & Rivera-Macias, B (2025) Pelaamalla kiinni uuteen kieleen. eSignals PRO, http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe202501205450 

    Rivera-Macias, Berenice (2025) Enhancing Workplace Language Learning: Insights from the MAKU Project. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2025031016833 

    Lydén, H., Einovaara, S., Mäkelä, M. & Rivera-Macias, B. (2024). Yhteismuotoilulla uutta ymmärrystä ja kielitaitoa – tuloksena opetusvideoita työn arkikieleen. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062056225 

    Leminen, A. (2024). Fostering language development in multilingual children. Laurea Journal: https://journal.laurea.fi/tunteet-vieraan-kielen-etaopiskelussa/#6a56157b 

    Nummila, P., Lydén, H. & Rivera-Macias, B. (2024). Työyhteisön psykologinen turvallisuus kotoutumisen tukena. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062056228 

    Pylväläinen, M., Stenbacka, A. & Lydén, H. (2023) Valmentava johtaminen terveydenhuollon työhyvinvoinnin lisääjänä. Suomen anestesiasairaanhoitajat ry. Spirium. 

    Rivera-Macias, B., Lydén, H., Heikinmatti, S. & Leminen, A. (2023). Facilitating Flow in Foreign Language Learning. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062056141 

    Leminen, A., Rivera-Macias, B., Lydén, H. & Heikinmatti, S. (2023) Flow in Foreign Language Learning. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2024062056140 

    Lydén, H. (2022). Kuka ymmärtää projektiviestintää? Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022102863690 

    Lydén, H. & Niemelä, P. (2022­). Työllistyminen on keino päästä osalliseksi yhteiskuntaan. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe20241212101581 

    Martikainen, S. & Lydén, H. (2022). Onko terveydenhuollossa nyt kriisijohtamisen aika? Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022020818229 

    Nummila, P. & Lydén, H. (2022). Tunteet ja tarpeet työpaikalla. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022082656394 

    Lydén, H., Silvola, I. & Leminen, A.  (2021). Paperittomuus on ratkaistavissa oleva ongelma. Laurea Journal. http://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2021110554137 

    Podcasts

    Nummila, P., Ritmala, M. & Väliaho, P. (2024). Voimavarojen vahvistamisen podcast. https://soundcloud.com/laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu/sets/voimavarojen-vahvistamisen 

    Lydén, H. & Salin, O. ym. (2022). Hyvinvoiva terveydenhuolto -hankkeen podcastit, jaksot 1-20. https://soundcloud.com/laurea-ammattikorkeakoulu/sets/hyvinvoiva-terveydenhuolto 

     

Read more about our projects

RDI-project Empowering and inclusive language learning 

The project aims to enhance early childhood education professionals’ ability to support multilingual children and their families.

RDI-project Central Baltic Mentoring for Migrant Women seeking Employment 

This project aims to increase the employability of immigrant women.

RDI-project ReBel - Redesign Belonging 

More in­for­ma­tion: