International Research Spotlight: Aging Societies and Inclusive Digital Design
An Interview with Dr. Juho-Pekka Mäkipää from the University of Vaasa
Dr. Juho-Pekka Mäkipää from the University of Vaasa, A Visiting Researcher at Musashino University’s Asia AI Instutute
As part of our ongoing series highlighting international research collaborations at the Asia AI Institute (AAII) and Musashino University's Faculty of Data Science (MUDS) program, Associate Professor Yusuke Takahashi sat down with Dr. Juho-Pekka Mäkipää, a visiting researcher from Finland whose work explores human factors, accessibility, and user experience in digital service design. Dr. Mäkipää is pioneering multidisciplinary approaches to create more inclusive and accessible digital environments, with a special focus on the needs of aging populations in both Japan and Finland.
Takahashi: Welcome to Musashino University, Dr. Mäkipää! It's wonderful to have you here as part of our international research exchange program. Could you start by telling us about your background and what brings you to Japan?
Mäkipää: Thank you for the warm welcome, Dr. Takahashi. I’m a University Lecturer in Information Systems at the University of Vaasa in Finland. My research focuses on human factors in socio-technical human-computer interaction, particularly in the context of accessibility, user experience, and digital artifact design. I came to Japan to deepen my understanding of how aging populations interact with digital services, and to explore cross-cultural perspectives on inclusive design. Musashino University and AAII offer a unique environment for this kind of multidisciplinary and human-centered research.
Takahashi: That's exactly the kind of interdisciplinary approach we're fostering here at MUDS. Your research on accessibility, user experience, and digital service design, especially in the context of aging populations is particularly intriguing. How does data science play a role in this unconventional combination?
Mäkipää: My work aims to understand how biological, psychological, and social factors shape people’s interaction with digital systems. For example, I study how elderly users in Finland and Japan form mental models of IT artifacts, how they perceive and make sense of digital environments. I also analyze governmental strategies for digital services in both countries to see how policy supports aging societies. One exciting direction is designing adaptive systems that respond to individual user needs, especially older adults, by recognizing their unique abilities, preferences, and contexts.
Takahashi: That's fascinating! How does this connect with your philosophical interest in phenomena and the concept of embodied experience?
Mäkipää: Great question! While my research background is in information systems rather than philosophy, I share the phenomenological interest in how people actually experience and make sense of digital technologies in their everyday lives. I focus on understanding the embodied, contextual nature of human-computer interaction, how biological, psychological, and social factors shape the way individuals, especially older adults, perceive and use digital services. This perspective reminds me that behind every interface and data point is a unique human being, and that accessibility and inclusivity must be at the heart of digital design.
Takahashi: This holistic view seems perfectly aligned with our vision at AAII, where we emphasize that data science should serve humanity. What specific projects are you working on during your time here?
Mäkipää: During my time at Musashino University, I’m working on several projects that explore how digital services can better support aging populations. One key focus is a comparative analysis of governmental strategies in Japan and Finland, examining how each country prepares for an aging society through digital policy and service design. I’m also investigating how older adults form mental models of IT artifacts in cyberspace, aiming to uncover cognitive and cultural factors that influence digital engagement. Additionally, I’m exploring the design of adaptive digital artifacts that respond to individual user characteristics—such as abilities, preferences, and contexts—to promote accessibility and inclusion in human-computer interaction.
Takahashi: The cultural exchange aspect is indeed valuable. From your European perspective, what unique contributions do you see MUDS and AAII making to the global data science community?
Mäkipää: From my perspective, MUDS and AAII offer a unique contribution to the global data science community by combining technical excellence with a strong human-centered and international focus. The MUDS program stands out for its interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates AI, data science, and ethics, while also fostering collaboration across cultures and industries. This kind of environment is essential for developing data-driven solutions that are not only innovative but also socially meaningful and globally relevant.
Takahashi: Speaking of practical applications, how do you envision your research contributing to real-world solutions?
Mäkipää: I see my research contributing to real-world solutions by helping design digital services that are more accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of aging populations. By understanding how older adults perceive and interact with technology, across different cultural contexts, we can create systems that adapt to individual abilities and preferences. This includes developing user interfaces and digital artifacts that support cognitive diversity and promote digital engagement, ultimately improving the usability and relevance of public and private digital services.
Takahashi: As we wrap up, what advice would you give to students interested in pursuing this kind of interdisciplinary research?
Mäkipää: My advice is to stay curious and open to perspectives outside your primary field. Don’t be afraid to explore unfamiliar domains, and always ask how your work can make a real difference in people’s lives. And finally, embrace international collaboration. Programs like MUDS offer incredible opportunities to work with researchers from different cultural and academic backgrounds. These diverse perspectives don't just enrich your research—they fundamentally transform how you see the world and approach problems.
Takahashi: Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Dr. Mäkipää. Your work beautifully exemplifies the kind of human-centered, internationally collaborative research we're building here at MUDS and AAII.
Mäkipää: Thank you for having me. I'm honored to be part of this vibrant research community and look forward to continuing our collaboration long after my visit ends.
Dr. Juho-Pekka Mäkipää's visit is part of AAII's ongoing international research exchange program. Through partnerships with universities across Europe, Asia, and beyond, MUDS continues to foster groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that addresses global challenges while maintaining a deep commitment to human well-being and cultural diversity.
For more information about research collaborations and visiting researcher opportunities at MUDS and AAII, please contact us through muds.ac/contact.
