The Union of Research Professionals has its roots in the salary mutiny of university assistants at the end of the 1960s. Korkeakoulujen Assistenttiliitto (the Union of Higher Education Assistants) was established in 1967 by those who were then considered as early career researchers. In 1997, the union adopted the name the Finnish Union of University Researchers and Teachers (FUURT). The current name, the Union of Research Professionals, or simply, Research Professionals, was adopted in 2025. The union has been affiliated to the Confederation of Unions for Professional and Managerial Staff in Finland (AKAVA) since 1986.
Research Professionals includes 16 member associations with over 7,000 members. It is an active trade union that represents all those working in science, research and higher education. Members are supported by member associations, skilled shop stewards at local workplaces as well as the union’s strong negotiation position and extensive advocacy networks.
The Union of Research Professionals represents members in all branches of science and career stages. Although membership is open to all research professionals regardless of workplace, the majority of members work at the university sector and represent the early career stages i.e. doctoral or postdoctoral research.
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