N2025-07

PlayFair Forest Network

Coordinator: Prof Teppo Hujala, University of Eastern Finland, teppo.hujala(a)uef.fi

 

In-person meeting organisers
Mr Philip Chambers, University of Eastern Finland,
Dr Mari Selkimäki, University of Eastern Finland,
Prof Karin Öhman, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,
Dr Isabella Hallberg-Sramek, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences,

 

Background

Around 15 people in a green forest gathered around and listening to a man speaking.

Photo: Philip Chambers

Modern forest planning faces increasing demands for public participation and transparency. Digital technologies like Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS), location-based games, and gamified applications offer new ways to engage stakeholders in forest planning. These tools can help gather public preferences, assess their compatibility with existing plans, and identify potential conflicts.

 

Objectives

  • Facilitate Nordic-Baltic and European knowledge exchange about playful digital technologies in forest planning.
  • Strengthen connections between forest planning researchers and human-computer interaction experts.
  • Support young scientists and doctoral researchers in networking.
  • Develop new project ideas and funding applications.
  • Create a research agenda for upcoming years.

 

Point cloud picture in dark blue nuances, dark grey and white.

Picture: GamiLiDAR project

Activities

  • Regular online meetings of the lead committee and network members
  • Two in-person workshops with stakeholders (Finland and Sweden)
  • Introducing the network’s website and start using it as a knowledge hub
  • Partnering for scientific publications and communication activities
  • Joint funding proposal development

 

Partners

University of Eastern Finland (UEF), Finland; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), Sweden; University of Copenhagen (KU), Denmark; Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), Norway; Latvian State Forest Research Institute (Silava), Latvia; Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), Italy

 

Expected Outcomes

  • Improved understanding of digital tools in forest planning
  • Enhanced collaboration between Nordic-Baltic forest researchers
  • Academic publication about digital tools in forest planning
  • Joint research proposals
  • Research agenda for post-2025
  • Policy brief with recommendations