The Finnish Government appointed on 20 June the Board and the Research Councils of the Academy of Finland for the term 1 January 2019–31 December 2021. Professor Heikki Kröger from the University of Eastern Finland was appointed as a member of the Academy of Finland Board. Professor Ursula Schwab was appointed as the chair of the Research Council for Biosciences and Environment, and Professor Heli Peltola as a member. Moreover, Professor Päivi Atjonen and Professor Juha Hämäläinen were appointed as members of the Research Council for Culture and Society.
The chair of the Academy of Finland Board is Professor Johanna Myllyharju from the University of Oulu.
The board members are Professor Martti Kauranen from Tampere University of Technology, Professor Heikki Kröger from the University of Eastern Finland, Professor Erika Löfström from the University of Helsinki, Research Director, Professor Per Mickwitz from the Finnish Environment Institute, and Technology Director, Docent Marita Niemelä from Neste Engineering Solutions.
The Academy Board is tasked with, e.g., deciding on the Academy’s operational and financial plans, consolidating the work of the Research Councils, the Strategic Research Council and the Finnish Research Infrastructure Committee, and promoting the fields of research represented by the Research Councils.
Chairs and members of the Research Councils (1 January 2019–31 December 2021):
The chair of the Research Council for Biosciences and Environment is Professor Ursula Schwab from the University of Eastern Finland. The members are Research Professor Juha Hiedanpää (Natural Resources Institute Finland), Professor Esa Korpi (University of Helsinki), Research Professor Kristiina Kruus (VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland), Professor Jussi Kukkonen (University of Jyväskylä), Professor Heli Peltola (University of Eastern Finland), Professor Timo Peltomäki (University of Tampere), Research Professor Markus Perola (National Institute for Health and Welfare), Professor Mika Rämet (University of Oulu), Research Director, Professor Tiina Sarjakoski (National Land Survey of Finland), Professor Maritta Välimäki (University of Turku).
The chair of the Research Council for Culture and Society is Professor Sami Pihlström from the University of Helsinki. The members are Professor Päivi Atjonen (University of Eastern Finland), Professor Kirsimarja Blomqvist (Lappeenranta University of Technology), Professor Juha Hämäläinen (University of Eastern Finland), Professor Patrik Jern (Åbo Akademi University), Professori Petri Karonen (University of Jyväskylä), Professori Erkki Karvonen (University of Oulu), Professori Petri Kuoppamäki (Aalto University), Professori Tuire Kuusi (University of the Arts Helsinki), Professori Päivi Lappalainen (University of Turku) and Senior Lecturer Kia Lindroos (University of Jyväskylä).
The chair of the Research Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering is Professor Reko Leino from Åbo Akademi University. The members are Professor Seppo Hassi (University of Vaasa), Professor Tanja Kallio (Aalto University), Professor Jorma Keskinen (Tampere University of Technology), Director Heidi Kuusniemi (University of Vaasa), Professor Raine Mäntysalo (Aalto University), Director Leena Paavilainen (Natural Resources Institute Finland), Professor Petriina Paturi (University of Turku), Professori Petri Pellikka (University of Helsinki) and Professor Minnamari Vippola (Tampere University of Technology).
The task of the Research Councils is to award funding for scientific research, to promote and utilise the preconditions for research, and to monitor the impact and outcomes of the funding granted.
Further information: Counsellor for Science Affairs Erja Heikkinen (Ministry of Education and Culture), tel. +358 295 330 101, and Counsellor of Education Eeva Kaunismaa (Ministry of Education and Culture), tel. +358 295 3 30226
The contact details of the University of Eastern Finland’s researchers can be found in the university's contacts directory.