Sakari Melander is a Professor at the Faculty of Law , University of Helsinki, specializing in Criminal Law , with a focus on constitutionalization, Europeanization, and sentencing policies. His work bridges theoretical criminal law with practical legislative and policy challenges. Key research areas include EU criminal law, constitutional constraints on criminal legislation, and general doctrines of criminal law. He has extensive experience in parliamentary legal consultation, providing expert opinions to Finland’s Legislative Committees (e.g., on immigration control, anti-corruption directives, and digital evidence handling). Recent publications address topics like EU corporate sanction policies, constitutionalization of criminal law, and reforms in Finnish sentencing systems. His 2025 article in the New Journal of European Criminal Law explores balancing administrative and criminal sanctions in the EU. Scientific awards include: Hilkka ja Otto Brusiin Foundation Thesis Prize (2001) Magister Bonus – Good Teacher Award (2014) Primustohtori Award (2010) Year’s Teacher (2010) Year’s Opponent (2008) He leads research projects such as Criminal Law Under Pressure: Differentiation and Harmonization (2012-2015) and Assessment of Human Trafficking Sanction Practices (2021-2022), and supervises doctoral theses on criminal law topics.
Eero Hyvönen is a Professor of Computer Science at Aalto University and Director of the Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities (HELDIG) at the University of Helsinki. He leads the Semantic Computing Research Group (SeCo), specializing in Semantic Web technologies and applications. Hyvönen holds an Adjunct Professor title at the University of Helsinki's Department of Computer Science. His work focuses on developing national-level semantic web infrastructure, with applications in digital humanities, cultural heritage, and AI. He has published over 500 research articles and books, receiving numerous awards including the Decoration of Knight, First Class, of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2018). Hyvönen chairs editorial boards of journals like Semantic Web and serves on committees for major conferences. His research spans semantic web technologies, linked open data, and AI applications in cultural heritage domains. Key projects include Sampo portals (e.g., LetterSampo, OperaSampo) for cultural data analysis, ParliamentSampo for parliamentary data, and FindSampo for archaeological finds. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating law, history, and computing through initiatives like FIN-CLARIAH. Hyvönen advises doctoral and master's students, notably Annastiina Ahola and Jouni Tuominen, who have won awards under his supervision. He directs research infrastructures, chairs international boards, and actively contributes to open data policies and standards development.
Jan Akmal is an Assistant Professor at Aalto University, holding dual affiliations in the Department of Energy and Mechanical Engineering and the Materials to Products group. His research specializes in additive manufacturing (AM), focusing on defect detection, smart materials, and 4D printing applications. He leads the AIM-Zero project (2023–2026), exploring AI-driven zero-defect AM processes. Akmal has received the Aalto Doctoral Incentive Scholarship (2023) and an Honorary Award (2023). He serves on editorial boards for Frontiers in Manufacturing Technology and Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering , and chairs the Finnish Rapid Prototyping Association (FIRPA). Key research areas include AI-based defect detection in metal AM, self-sensing components, and hybrid materials for dynamic displays. He collaborates globally on topics like optical tomography in powder bed fusion and medical AM applications. His work addresses sustainability, industrial adoption of AM, and legal frameworks for military logistics. Akmal has authored 24 publications and contributed to datasets on AM inaccuracies and defect classification, emphasizing practical applications and industry integration.
Professor Ida Koivisto from the Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki specializes in administrative law, constitutional law, and global administrative law. Her research focuses on transparency in digital governance, automated decision-making in public administration, and the intersection of law with digital technology. Key research themes: Digital transparency, legal automation, EU administrative law Active in multidisciplinary projects like DARE (Digital Administration Redesigned for Everyone) and AlgoT (Algorithmic Transparency) Recent publications explore ethical dimensions of AI in governance, legal personhood in digital systems, and paradoxes of transparency. Her work appears in journals like Artificial Intelligence, Humans and the Law and Critical Analysis of Law . International collaborations include academic visits to the University of Toronto, University of Hong Kong, and European University Institute. She contributes to policy through expert statements for Finland's Constitutional Law Committee and other public institutions.
Mika Viljanen is a Professor of Private Law at the Faculty of Law , University of Turku . His work intersects legal theory , socio-legal studies , and doctrinal law , with a focus on artificial intelligence , financial regulation , and private law (torts and contracts). He teaches core private law modules and leads the Faculty Willem C. Vis Moot Court team. Key Affiliations : University of Turku (Faculty of Law), ETAROS Project, FLAIG Project Research Trajectory : From his 2008 dissertation on quantifying tort damages to contemporary studies on AI regulation and global value chain liability , his scholarship bridges traditional private law with emerging technologies and economic systems. Recent projects include ETAROS (AI and Law) and FLAIG (Financial Regulation). Publications Spotlight : His 2023-2025 works explore AI governance , robot safety regulation , and human rights in EU AI frameworks , reflecting his commitment to interdisciplinary analysis.
Riikka Koulu is an Associate Professor of Social and Legal Implications of AI at the University of Helsinki, holding joint appointments at the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Social Sciences. She serves as Director of the University of Helsinki Legal Tech Lab, an interdisciplinary research hub focused on law, technology, and society, and is an affiliated researcher at the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society in Berlin. In 2025, she will be an academic visitor at Oxford University. Education: Doctor of Law (OTT), University of Helsinki (awarded November 17, 2016) Title of Docent (digitalisation of law), University of Lapland (2020-present) Riikka Koulu is a socio-legal scholar specializing in the interconnections between law, technology, and society. Her research focuses on understanding law's role in shaping and being shaped by digitalized societies. She combines doctrinal and theoretical legal analysis with empirical research from a public law perspective. Her current work examines digital public administration, AI policy and regulation, European technology regulation, and the impact of digital technologies on legal decision-making. She is particularly interested in human oversight mechanisms and interface design in automated systems. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on the legal implications of digital transformation, with particular attention to automated decision-making in public administration, algorithmic governance, and the changing nature of legal procedures in digital environments. Her work spans theoretical explorations of legal concepts in digital contexts and practical analyses of how technology is reshaping justice systems and public administration. Scientific Recognition: Title of Docent (digitalisation of law), University of Lapland (2020) Affiliated researcher, Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society, Berlin (2019-present) Riikka Koulu actively supervises doctoral researchers through the Doctoral Programme in Law and has secured significant research funding for multiple projects. Her current research portfolio includes the ADM-Gov project (2022-2026) on automated administration governance, the REPAIR project (2022-2025) on algorithmic system maintenance, and the DARE project (2021-2026) on inclusive digital administration design. These projects involve collaboration with international partners and interdisciplinary teams. As Director of the University of Helsinki Legal Tech Lab, Koulu leads an interdisciplinary research hub that is part of the Network of Centers (NoC). The lab serves as a focal point for research on the intersection of law, technology, and society, bringing together scholars from legal studies, computer science, social sciences, and design disciplines to address pressing challenges in digital governance.
Kim Talus is a Professor of European Energy Law at the Law School, University of Eastern Finland , with concurrent appointments as Professor of Energy Law at the University of Helsinki and Partner at Energy and Regulation Partners, Zug, Switzerland. His work focuses on EU energy law , climate change regulation , and international energy disputes , particularly in hydrogen, LNG, and renewable energy sectors. Research Trends: Talus’s recent articles (2024–2025) analyze Hydrogen Market Regulation (EU and Australia) State Aid in renewable energy LNG Market Evolution in Asia and EU Climate Legislation (methane regulation, carbon capture) Cross-Border Energy Trade complexities. His work frequently addresses tensions between climate policy and economic freedoms like investor protection. Leadership: Talus directs the Center for Climate Change, Energy and Environmental Law (CCEEL) and contributes to edited volumes such as Elgar Research Agendas and Edward Elgar Handbooks . He collaborates with institutions like the European Commission and University of Oslo.
Minna Valjakka is a Senior Researcher at the University of Helsinki , affiliated with the Department of Cultures and the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria) . She also holds a Professor position at Leiden University (2022–2023) and has served as a Docent in East Asian Studies at the University of Turku and in Art History/Asian Studies at the University of Helsinki. Education: PhD in Art History, University of Helsinki (2011) MA in East Asian Studies, University of Helsinki (2005) Docent (Habilitation) titles in East Asian Studies and Art History Teaching: Designed courses on interculturality, urban creativity, and environmental art at Leiden University Promotes critical pedagogy, sociocultural learning, and decolonial frameworks Research Focus: Explores urban creativity , environmental art , and civil society in East and Southeast Asia. Highlights include analyzing art-science collaborations for sustainability, gendered dimensions of urban art, and transcultural dynamics in public space. Publications: Her work spans topics like ecological citizenship , urban resilience , and artistic responses to censorship , with a strong emphasis on decolonial and interdisciplinary frameworks. Scientific Recognition: Awarded the Kanava Award (2016) for her contributions to art and gender studies. Supervision: Mentored 13+ MA theses and served as a co-supervisor for PhD candidates at Leiden and Helsinki universities. Projects: Leads EcoConjunctions (2024–2028), examining art-science collaborations for civil society, and Shades of Green (2020–2022) on environmental art in Asia.
Eetu Mäkelä is a Professor in Digital Humanities at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Helsinki Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities (HSSH). He holds a Doctor of Science in Computer Science and a Title of Docent in Computer Science. He supervises doctoral programs in History and Cultural Heritage, and Theology and Religious Studies. His research focuses on computational methods applied to humanities, including text reuse analysis, historical discourse studies, and digital cultural heritage. He leads the Helsinki Computational History Group (COMHIS) and participates in projects like CASCADE (computational semantic change analysis) and HPC-HD (high-performance computing for historical discourse analysis). Key research areas include computational analysis of historical texts, formulaic language in oral poetry, and linked open data applications in cultural heritage. Notable projects involve developing digital infrastructures for Finnic oral poetry and analyzing WWII data through linked open systems. Awards include the Best Paper Award at DHN 2020 and the Open Data Prize for the WarSampo system. Projects: CASCADE (EU Horizon Europe), HPC-HD (Academy of Finland), COMHIS (ongoing since 2018) Supervision: Doctoral programs in History, Cultural Heritage, and Theology Labs/Teams: Helsinki Computational History Group (COMHIS), leader of digital humanities initiatives
Kamrul Faisal serves as a Doctoral Researcher and Grant-funded researcher within the Faculty of Law at the University of Helsinki. His scholarly work focuses on the dynamic interplay between technology, law, and policy, with expertise in digital rights, cybersecurity, telecommunications legislation, and data privacy. Faisal is committed to advancing equitable legal frameworks for the digital era through rigorous research and ethical analysis. Research Interests Faisal's research centers on data protection law, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and its application to vulnerable groups including children. He investigates the tensions between privacy rights and freedom of expression in criminal data contexts, and critically assesses national data protection measures such as Finland's biometric data proposals. His work also explores vulnerability theory within data protection frameworks and the intersection of human rights with digital technologies. Publication Trends His recent scholarly output (2024-2025) reveals a concentrated effort on GDPR-related challenges, with publications addressing children's data rights, biometric surveillance risks, and the reconciliation of privacy with other fundamental rights. Faisal's work demonstrates a methodical approach to identifying gaps in current regulations and proposing nuanced solutions for complex digital society issues. Scientific Awards Eino Jutikkala Grant awarded by the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2022) Research Projects and Activities Faisal contributes to major research initiatives including GenAI: Generation AI (funded by the Research Council of Finland) and Korpisaari 2785/31/2019 Neutral Host Pil (funded by Business Finland). He is an active participant in academic discourse, having engaged in 39 activities such as conference organization, peer review for journals like Digital Policy, Regulation and Governance, and invited talks on data protection. His role as a Certified Peer Reviewer by Elsevier underscores his commitment to scholarly rigor.
Katri Havu is an Associate Professor at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Law and a key member of the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). She specializes in EU law, competition law, and technology-related legal challenges. Current projects: Green and Tempting? (combating greenwashing) and Private Enforcement, Sustainability & Technology Research themes: AI liability, EU damages directives, and sustainable regulatory frameworks Her publications focus on algorithmic accountability, competition law enforcement, and non-material harm compensation in EU courts. Recent work examines AI-induced damages and greenwashing in consumer marketing. Scientific recognition includes: Nordic Prize for Young Private Law Scholars (2021) Lakimies journal's best article award (2019) European Journal of Risk Regulation Reviewer Award (2023) Havu actively supervises doctoral researchers and participates in EU regulatory policy development. She serves as editor for Lakimies journal and contributes to EU soft law implementation analysis.
Professor Henning Grosse Ruse Khan is a leading academic in International and European Intellectual Property (IP) Law at the University of Cambridge, where he serves as Professor of Law, Co-Director of the Centre for Intellectual Property and Information Law (CIPIL), and Fellow of King’s College. He also holds affiliations with the Lauterpacht Centre for International Law and has been a Global Hauser Visiting Professor at New York University (2024). Education: Dr iur (University of Münster, Germany) Research Focus: His work bridges IP law with trade, investment, and technology, emphasizing sustainable development, environmental law, and the ethical implications of automation. Recent projects explore AI regulation, data access, and the legal dimensions of the Anthropocene. Key Article Trends: His publications analyze TRIPS-Plus agreements, investor-state disputes, and the intersection of IP with environmental and human rights frameworks. Themes include platform governance, data law, and historical justice. Scientific Honors: Distinguished Fellow, Hanken School of Economics (2016-2017) Global Hauser Visiting Professor, NYU (2024) Senior Fellow, Max Planck Institute (2013-2022) Co-Founder, Society of International Economic Law (SIEL) IP Network Advising & Grants: He advises the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and contributes to policy reports, including the UN ESCAP Handbook on Negotiating Development-Oriented Provisions in Trade and Investment Agreements (2017). His research has been funded by the 6th EU Framework Programme and other international bodies. Labs & Teams: As Co-Director of CIPIL, he leads research on global IP governance. He is affiliated with the Centre for Law, Medicine and Life Sciences (LML) and the Society of International Economic Law (SIEL).
Hanna Mattila serves as Visiting Professor at Aalto University's Department of Built Environment and Associate Professor at Aalborg University's Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology, leading the Academy of Finland-funded TRANAPLAN research consortium on democratic planning transformations. Her expertise spans planning theory, urban design, land use systems, and regional development with emphasis on Finnish and international contexts. Her research critically examines communicative and agonistic planning theories, strategic policy rationalities, and governance of marginalized regions through interdisciplinary lenses integrating political science, sociology, and ethics. Current work addresses populism's impact on urban processes, sustainable transformation frameworks, and superdiversity challenges in city development, reflecting deep engagement with democratic theory and spatial justice. Recent publications (2022-2025) reveal consistent focus on democratic planning innovations, analyzing legitimacy structures in strategic policy, agonistic practices in peripheral regions, and ethical dimensions of urban transformation. Her scholarship demonstrates strong Finnish contextual grounding while contributing to global debates on deliberative governance, planning theory evolution, and equitable spatial development through high-impact journal articles and book reviews. Hanna Mattila's scientific recognition includes: Aalto University School of Engineering Award for Best Doctoral Dissertation 2017 Vuoden kaupunkikirjoitus 2003 -palkinto from Yhdyskuntasuunnittelun seura and Alue- ja ympäristötutkimuksen seura She directs the Academy of Finland-funded TRANAPLAN consortium exploring democratic planning anatomies while contributing to Aalto's Planning and Transportation research group. Her collaborative publications indicate extensive international partnerships, though specific student advisement details remain unreported in source materials. Active within Aalto's Planning and Transportation research ecosystem, Mattila drives the TRANAPLAN project through cross-institutional collaboration with Finnish and global scholars, evidenced by co-authored works on regional governance, planning theory, and urban transformation frameworks.
Salla Sariola is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Sociology. She leads research initiatives at the Helsinki One Health and Helsinki Inequality Initiative. Her work focuses on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), global health ethics, and the sociocultural dimensions of health systems. Key areas include microbial ethics, LGBTQ+ youth healthcare, and the intersection of inequality with healthcare access. She supervises doctoral students in the Doctoral Programmes in Social Sciences and Gender, Culture, and Society. Research Organizations: Helsinki One Health, Helsinki Inequality Initiative Projects: AMR CoE (Antimicrobial Resistance Excellence Center), Nordic Network for the Social Study of Microbes, Centre for the Social Study of Microbes Her recent publications address microbial ethics frameworks, antibiotic use in rural communities, and LGBTQ+ youth healthcare. She has contributed to global health policy discussions, including AMR management in West Africa and ethical engagement in clinical research. Sariola’s work bridges sociology, medical anthropology, and policy analysis, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in global health challenges.
Suvi Sankari is a University Researcher at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Law and holds the Title of Docent (Adjunct Professorship) in European Law. She serves as the Research Coordinator for the University of Helsinki Legal Tech Lab and is the Principal Investigator (PI) for the Academy of Finland-funded project 'Is this Public or Private?' (2019-2023). Her work bridges law and technology, fostering interdisciplinary collaborations across faculties and universities. University of Helsinki Faculty of Law Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) Suvi's research focuses on European Law , Legal Reasoning , and Constitutional Pluralism , with a methodology combining legal doctrinal studies, socio-legal analysis, and empirical research. She explores topics such as country-of-origin indications , consumer information , and standardisation in the context of global market dynamics and sustainability. Her publications span theoretical and applied aspects of EU law, including contributions to journals like European Law Journal and edited volumes. She is also engaged in projects like ADM-Gov (governance of automated decision-making) and DARE (digital administration redesign). Scientific Award: Idman Prize 2016 As an educator, Suvi has taught EU law to Master's students since 2004, employing diverse assessment methods. She collaborates with networks such as No-Les-Law and the InterTran Research Group , focusing on sustainable law and business.
