Professor Alfred Colpaert's farewell lecture

Programme

• Opening Remarks. Head of Department Pieter Dhondt, Department of History and Geography.
• Keynote Lecture (in Finnish). Stories Told by Maps: 40 Years in the Face of Environmental Change, Professor Alfred Colpaert.
  • What Does Environmental Change Look Like on a Map? Professor Alfred Colpaert has used geographic information systems, satellite imagery, and environmental monitoring to study changes in nature for over 40 years. His work has revealed how northern ecosystems respond to a warming climate and how traditional land use faces new challenges. In his farewell lecture, Professor Colpaert will share insights from his research journey through a changing world – and explore what maps can teach us about the future of our environment.
• Greetings from the Leadership of the University of Eastern Finland and the Faculty
• Greetings from the Finnish Union of University Professors
• Greetings from the Department of History and Geography
• Greetings from the Research Group
• Musical Performance: Trio Kainulainen, Korrensalo & Rämö
• Coffee and Cake

Registration

Please register by 30 September via online form: https://go.uef.fi/Colpaert

Professor Alfred Colpaert

Professor Alfred Colpaert began his academic journey in 1977 at Utrecht University, where he majored in physical geography. He earned his doctoral degree at the University of Oulu, where he worked for 19 years in various roles. Since 2004, he has served as Professor of Physical Geography at the University of Joensuu, which later became the University of Eastern Finland.

Professor Colpaert’s research has focused particularly on assessing the condition and extent of grazing lands using remote sensing methods. He has evaluated the state of reindeer pastures in Northern Finland, yak grazing areas on the Tibetan Plateau, and grazing-related issues in Northern Namibia. Additionally, his work has explored the ecology of reindeer, wolves, elephants, and cattle, utilizing location data to better understand animal movements and behavior.

For further information, please contact:

Professor Alfred Colpaert, [email protected]

Project Controller Päivi Heikkinen, [email protected]