Anu Liikanen, PhD, has been appointed as Director of the University of Eastern Finland’s newly established Research and Innovation Services. She will start in her new role on 1 March 2026.
Until now, Liikanen has served as Director of Research Services within the university’s Development Services. She holds a PhD in environmental sciences from the University of Kuopio, obtained in 2002. Liikanen has worked, since 1999, as Researcher, Research Coordinator and Research Development Manager at the University of Kuopio and the University of Eastern Finland.
The University of Eastern Finland aims for a high international standard of research and strong research collaboration in both national and international networks. The Director of Research and Innovation Services supports the university’s leadership and researchers in achieving these goals, is in charge of the unit’s activities and development, and oversees its staff.
“My motivation is to develop efficient and seamless services that support research and allow researchers to focus on their core duties,” Liikanen says.
Research and Innovation Services comprises three teams: Research Services, Business Collaboration and Innovation Services, and Researcher Training Services. The new unit will also host services related to infrastructure and data-driven research.
“The establishment of Research and Innovation Services at University Services, and the appointment of its director, reinforce our strategic commitment to developing and enhancing the conditions for research and its supporting services. The new unit also provides excellent support for the reform of the University of Eastern Finland’s management system,” Director of Administration Tuomo Meriläinen notes.
