Annakaisa Korja

Annakaisa Korja serves as Head of Department and Research Director at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki, while also holding a Docent title in Tectonics. She is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and supervises the Doctoral Programme in Geosciences. Her leadership extends to multiple major research initiatives including EPOS Finland, where she serves as Principal Investigator.

Her educational background includes a Docent qualification in Tectonics from the University of Helsinki (2003) and a Specialist qualification in Management from Liikemiesten kauppaopisto (2010). Prior to her current position, she held research roles at the Geological Survey of Finland, Geological Survey of Canada, and Geological Survey of Sweden.

Korja's research centers on geophysics and seismology, with particular expertise in seismic hazard analysis, induced seismicity related to geothermal energy, tectonic evolution of the Fennoscandian Shield, and deep crustal structures. Her work bridges fundamental Earth science with practical applications in energy development and risk management, especially regarding nuclear power plant safety and urban geothermal projects.

Her recent publications reveal strong trends in seismic hazard modeling for Northern Europe, moment tensor analysis of induced earthquakes, and the tectonic evolution of Precambrian terrains. She has led significant updates to the Fennoscandian earthquake catalogue and developed 3D velocity models for the Helsinki region.

• Suomen Leijonan 1. luokan Ritarimerkki SL R1 (Order of the Lion of Finland, First Class) - 2021

As supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Geosciences and direct thesis advisor (including Tino Mellin's 2022 Bachelor's thesis), Korja mentors the next generation of Earth scientists. Her extensive grant portfolio includes EPOS Finland (Research Council of Finland infrastructure project), ELY-keskuksen tuki (Ministry funding until 2030), and multiple international collaborations. She actively serves on the Research Council of Finland Scientific Council for Natural Sciences and Engineering (2025-2027).

Korja manages the Institute of Seismology's EPOS Finland coordination office and leads the OBF seismic network. Her research group collaborates extensively across Nordic countries and Europe, particularly on seismic hazard assessment projects involving nuclear facilities and urban geothermal development.