Gunilla Widén

Gunilla Widén is the Rector of Åbo Akademi University, Finland, a prominent leadership role indicating her senior academic standing. She is actively engaged in research and scholarly activities in the fields of information literacy, digital inclusion, workplace information practices, and digital inequality. Her work spans interdisciplinary themes connecting education, technology, and societal development.

• Position: Rector, Åbo Akademi University
• Research Focus: Information behavior, digital equity, emotional aspects of learning, library science
• Leadership in major research projects and academic administration

Her research interests center on how individuals, particularly students and older adults, interact with information in digital environments. She investigates emotional dimensions of learning, structural challenges in information access, and the role of libraries and educational institutions in promoting digital inclusion. Her work emphasizes both theoretical development and practical applications in education and public policy.

The recent articles show a strong trend toward understanding digital inequality, emotional engagement in learning, and the evolving role of libraries in society. Her publications span journals in information science, education, and interdisciplinary technology studies, reflecting a broad and impactful scholarly profile.

Scientific Awards:

• No awards explicitly mentioned in the provided text.

Gunilla Widén has led several significant research projects, including DiWIL: The Impact of Information Literacy in the Digital Workplace and The emotional learning journey, often funded by national research councils. She has advised or collaborated with researchers across Scandinavia and has contributed to major comparative studies on public libraries and cultural infrastructure. Her leadership extends beyond research into institutional governance as Rector.

She is involved in collaborative research networks focusing on information literacy, digital workplace practices, and youth information services. These efforts are reflected in multi-institutional projects and international conference presentations, particularly on public library developments in Nordic countries.