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.
Tiina Ritvala is an Associate Professor and Assistant Dean (Teaching and Education) at the Department of Management Studies, Aalto University. Her research focuses on cross-sector collaboration between multinational corporations (MNCs), cities, and nonprofits in contexts like sustainable cities, energy transition, and cultural fields. She holds a D.Sc. (Econ.) from the Helsinki School of Economics (2008) and has been a Visiting Scholar at SCANCOR/Weatherhead (Harvard), Queen's University (Canada), and WU Vienna. Her work bridges organizational theory, international business, and social purpose. **Research Interests**: Cross-sector partnerships, multinational corporations, institutional change, sustainable cities, cultural and creative fields, energy transition. These areas are explored through case studies on global-local dynamics, MNE-NGO interactions, and sustainability initiatives. Recent work emphasizes spatial analysis in international business and geopolitical influences on corporate strategies. **Awards**: Received the Best Paper Award at EIBA 2017 for research on MNEs and sustainable development, the 1997 McKinsey Award for academic excellence, and a distinguished paper honor in the EDAMBA Thesis Competition (2009). **Professional Background**: Prior to academia, she worked in business consulting for a decade and engaged in volunteer work. Her teaching and administrative roles complement her research, focusing on international business education and institutional innovations. **Key Contributions**: Leads the Sustainability in Business research group, exploring topics like energy utilities' transition to renewables, MNC spatial strategies, and transnational commons governance. Her work often highlights the interplay between global institutions and localized action in addressing societal challenges.
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.
Katja Tikka is a Researcher in Legal History at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, with a focus on migration, minority histories (particularly Karelians), and early modern legal-commercial systems. She holds a Doctor of Law (2020) and Master's in Nordic History (2014). Her work spans genealogy research, organizational histories, and popular non-fiction, editing two peer-reviewed genealogy journals. Key research areas include Karelian identity, post-WWII land disputes, and early modern European mobility/empires. Active in 5 research projects (e.g., COST Action EU-PoTaRCh as coordinator), she has over 70 publications across legal history, migration studies, and environmental history. Awards include Academy of Finland grants. Teaching emphasizes student-centered methods at multiple Finnish universities. Editorial roles and board memberships include Geneettisen sukututkimuksen seura. Recent activities include keynote presentations at Nordiska rättshistorikermöte (2024) and theology conferences.
Marcus Norrgård is a Professor of Law at the University of Helsinki , leading the Vaasa Unit of Legal Studies within the Faculty of Law. His expertise spans intellectual property law , copyright , design law , and the ethical implications of AI and 3D printing on legal frameworks. He actively contributes to Nordic legal research and EU copyright harmonization , with recent projects focusing on AI-generated content and virtue ethics in private law . His 15 most recent articles analyze topics such as Nordic copyright legislation , AI training data protection , and design law harmonization , reflecting his work with foundations like Harry Schaumans Stiftelse and Vaasan Aktiasäätiö . Norrgård serves on doctoral committees and as an opponent in thesis defenses , while advising Finnish parliamentary committees on copyright and telecommunications reforms . He has held leadership roles including Chairman of the Finnish Copyright Council (2008–2020) and Director of the IPR University Center (2018–2021).
Jaana Norio is a Senior University Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, where she also holds the Title of Docent. Her primary research focuses on insurance law and consumer law, with extensive publications analyzing Finnish Supreme Court (KKO) decisions. She maintains active roles in legal scholarship through peer review, editorial positions, and committee memberships. Her research spans: Insurance law frameworks and liability systems Consumer protection in financial services Legal interpretation of tort and contract disputes Compensation mechanisms for personal/property damage Publications (114+ outputs) predominantly feature commentaries on KKO rulings from 2020-2025, demonstrating consistent focus on: Consumer credit regulations Traffic/liability insurance jurisprudence Occupational health compensation Product liability standards Awards include: Best Article in Lakimies journal (2007) received twice (2008 & 2015) Merit Badge from Finnish Insurance Lawyers Association (2021) She supervises doctoral candidates and contributed to projects like The Customer and Internationalizing Financial Markets (2003-2007). Professional activities include memberships in the Olga ja Kaarle Oskari Laitisen Foundation and editorial work for Acta Legis Turkuensia.
Reetta Oksa is a Senior Research Fellow at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences, Tampere University. Her work focuses on the psychosocial implications of social media use in professional settings, workplace well-being during crises, and cyberbullying prevention strategies. She leads research within the Emerging Technologies Lab, collaborating on projects like the 'Hate & Public Sphere' initiative. Oksa holds a Doctoral Dissertation (2022) titled 'Towards Thriving or Draining? Psychosocial Well-Being Implications of Social Media Use at Work.' Her research spans longitudinal studies on Finnish workers' mental health during the pandemic, digital stressors, and online harassment in media professions. Key collaborations include the 'GOT Top achievements' network and international studies on cybercrime victimization patterns. She has published extensively in journals like Scandinavian Journal of Psychology and Journal of Medical Internet Research , with a focus on translating findings into actionable policies for safer digital workspaces. Education: Doctoral Dissertation in Communication Sciences (2022), Tampere University. Prior academic background includes a Master's (not explicitly stated) and early work on workplace ergonomics. Research interests blend quantitative methodologies with qualitative insights on digital transformation challenges. Her work highlights trends such as the dual role of social media in boosting productivity and causing exhaustion, the rise of cyberbullying as a workplace hazard, and the mental health impacts of global crises like pandemic restrictions and geopolitical conflicts. Recent articles emphasize longitudinal tracking of well-being metrics and the psychosocial dimensions of online harassment among professionals. Grants and advising: While specific grants aren't listed, her involvement in multi-wave longitudinal studies (e.g., 5-wave surveys on pandemic anxiety) implies sustained funding. Advising focuses on graduate students researching digital work environments and cyber-related behavioral outcomes. She co-leads the Emerging Technologies Lab, fostering interdisciplinary research on technology-human interaction in workspaces.
Alfred Streng is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Law at Åbo Akademi University, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences, Economics and Law. He holds a PhD and is actively engaged in research and academic discourse in Finnish and Nordic legal contexts. His research interests include Consumer Law, Contract Law, Public Procurement, Tax Law, and Value Added Tax (VAT) . His work emphasizes legal interpretation, consumer protection frameworks, and regulatory compliance in commercial and public sectors. The recent publications show a strong focus on consumer contracts, tax reporting, and procurement pricing, reflecting both doctrinal legal analysis and policy-relevant scholarship. His collaborative work with B.K. Gyllenbögel indicates consistent thematic development in consumer rights and commercial regulations. Scientific Awards: No awards listed in the provided text. Advising and Grants: No students or advisees are listed. No grants or funding sources are mentioned in the available information. Labs and Teams: No specific research labs, centers, or collaborative teams are explicitly mentioned. However, his participation in events like Aalto Tax Day and Nordic Wealth Day suggests active involvement in tax and legal policy networks in Finland and the Nordic region.
Matti Muukkonen is a University Lecturer in Public Law at the Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Administration, University of Eastern Finland. His expertise focuses on municipal law and self-governing communities, particularly examining municipalities as institutions, their administrative and financial organization, and operations. After a decade-long break from academia, he returned to teaching and research, bringing extensive practical experience from municipal administration including service as mayor of three municipalities. Dr. Muukkonen holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of Laws, Master of Science in Law, and has been appointed Docent of Public Law (specializing in Municipal Law and Self-Governing Communities) and Docent of Administrative Law by the University of Helsinki. His academic credentials are complemented by significant practical experience in public administration, having served as social director, education director, daycare center director, and school attendance assistant in municipal roles. Muukkonen's research primarily investigates municipal law, with particular attention to the elderly care crisis, municipal service production legislation, and the legal frameworks governing self-governing communities. His work bridges theoretical legal scholarship with practical governance challenges, examining how municipalities function as institutions within Finland's legal and administrative framework. He explores the intersection of municipal autonomy, public service delivery, and legal compliance in contemporary governance, with growing attention to digital transformation in public administration. His recent scholarly output demonstrates consistent focus on municipal governance, administrative law, and association law. The articles reveal evolving attention to contemporary challenges including remote work regulations, research ethics governance, wind power construction projects, and the application of European Convention on Human Rights to student unions. A recurring theme is the examination of legal frameworks for public administration and municipal decision-making processes, often addressing practical implementation challenges faced by local governments. Muukkonen actively contributes to legal discourse through various channels including peer-reviewed journals, professional publications, and media commentary. His work addresses timely issues in Finnish public law, often providing expert analysis on current legal and administrative challenges facing municipalities and public institutions. He has published extensively in leading Finnish legal journals including Lakimies, Oikeus, and Defensor legis. Currently, Muukkonen leads or participates in research projects including the 'Municipal management legal competence development project' (KUJOOOK 2025-2027). He is an active member of the Public Administration Law Research Group at the University of Eastern Finland, collaborating with colleagues on various research initiatives examining contemporary challenges in public law and administration. His practical experience in municipal governance significantly informs his academic perspective and research questions.
Béatrice Schütte serves as a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, where she supervises doctoral candidates in the Doctoral Programme in Law. Her current teaching responsibilities include a writing seminar on product liability within the International Business Law (IBL) programme, a course on Nordic contract law, and contributions to master's thesis writing groups. Her research spans interdisciplinary legal domains at the intersection of emerging technologies and traditional legal frameworks. Primary focus areas include Artificial Intelligence regulation in EU law , maritime law applications for autonomous systems , and environmental liability frameworks . She examines how digital transformation impacts product liability regimes, particularly regarding AI-driven systems in maritime contexts and environmental contamination cases. Her work consistently addresses the tension between technological innovation and established legal principles in private international law. Analysis of her recent publications (2021-2025) reveals a clear trajectory toward adaptive regulatory frameworks for AI governance, with increasing emphasis on sustainability implications. Her scholarship demonstrates methodological rigor in comparative legal analysis, particularly regarding EU regulatory approaches versus international standards. Key thematic clusters include liability for autonomous systems (45% of output), digital market regulation (30%), and environmental torts in technological contexts (25%). She actively participates in major research initiatives including: PREST (Private Enforcement, Sustainability & Technology): Ongoing project since 2024 examining AI liability frameworks ADM-Gov : Analyzing algorithmic decision-making in governance (2022-2026) Legal Tech Lab : Long-running research initiative since 2016 How to Regulate AI-Related Damages Liability : Academy of Finland-funded project (2019-2024) Schütte maintains significant external engagement through 29 recorded activities (2020-2025), including 15 invited talks at international forums and participation in EU policy discussions. Her work demonstrates strong institutional collaboration across Nordic and European academic networks, particularly with Lund University and European regulatory bodies.
Beatrice Schütte is a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Law , University of Helsinki, specializing in Artificial Intelligence Regulation , European Union Law , and Maritime Law . Her work focuses on damages liability for AI-related harm, product liability frameworks, and legal challenges in digitalized transport sectors. Affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Law Research Interests : Schütte investigates the legal implications of AI in maritime contexts, EU regulatory frameworks for AI liability, and the interplay between technology, environmental law, and consumer protection. Her work bridges comparative law, private international law, and socio-economic constitutions. Collaborations include projects like ADM-Gov , PREST: Private Enforcement, Sustainability & Technology , and Legal Tech Lab , with partnerships across Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands. She has presented at conferences in Helsinki, Rotterdam, and Uppsala, addressing topics like algorithmic plagiarism liability and data protection by design. Teaching Responsibilities : Lead a writing seminar on product liability for the IBL programme, teach Nordic contract law, and contribute to master's thesis writing groups.
Harro van Asselt is a Professor of Climate Law and Policy at the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) Law School, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies. He holds visiting positions at Utrecht University and the Stockholm Environment Institute. With a PhD from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, his research focuses on international climate governance, fossil fuel policies, and legal frameworks for sustainability. He has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications and co-edited key texts on climate law and policy. Van Asselt is a leading expert on climate litigation, fossil fuel subsidy reform, and global climate governance interactions. His work emphasizes the legal dimensions of decarbonization, climate transparency mechanisms, and the role of non-state actors. He serves as Editor of the Review of European, Comparative and International Environmental Law and contributes to multiple editorial boards. Key research areas include: (1) legal aspects of climate mitigation strategies, (2) governance of fossil fuel production and trade, and (3) procedural frameworks under the Paris Agreement. His recent work analyzes border carbon adjustments, corporate accountability through mandatory due diligence laws, and pathways to phase out fossil fuels. Van Asselt leads the CCEEL research group at UEF and collaborates internationally on projects like the 'Production Gap' report. His interdisciplinary approach bridges law, policy, and environmental science to address global climate challenges.
Sofia Katariina Heikkonen is a Doctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Law , specializing in legal challenges related to digital governance and technology regulation. She is affiliated with the Doctoral Programme in Law and actively contributes to the Legal Tech Lab research project. 2022-2026 : Participant in ADM-Gov project analyzing automated decision-making in public administration 2016-present : Collaborator in Legal Tech Lab focusing on AI systems, medical device liability, and digital evidence Research Focus : Regulation of automated decision-making in public administration Transparency mechanisms through document access Liability frameworks for intelligent medical devices Impact of cloud computing in government operations Recent Activities : Member of organizing committee for Doctoral Researchers Event 2024 Contributor to Nordic-Baltic public digitalisation cooperation Collaborator with Lunds Universitet's Etnologiska Institutionen on legal tech initiatives
Jenna Päläs is a Lecturer at the Law School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies of the University of Eastern Finland. Her work bridges legal theory with practical applications in emerging economic models. Research Focus: Sharing economy frameworks, consumer responsibility, and interdisciplinary methodologies. Collaborations: Engages with tourism researchers, notably in the Responsibility and Value Creation in the Sharing Economy (Jaava) project. Publications: Explores regulatory ambiguities, stakeholder dynamics, and legislative challenges in post-truth contexts. Päläs employs action research to enhance legal understanding of platform-mediated services, particularly in tourism sectors. Her studies emphasize cross-disciplinary data enrichment and normative influence analysis. Recent contributions highlight the need for updated legal frameworks addressing sharing economy complexities, including liability shifts and stakeholder accountability. She co-authored consumer guides and policy recommendations for responsible practices.
Maximilian Huemer is a Doctoral Researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Helsinki, focusing on transport law, passenger rights, and sustainable mobility regulation. His work intersects with EU law and multimodal transport frameworks. Research Interests: Transport Law and Regulatory Compliance EU Passenger Rights Legislation Sustainable Mobility Policy and Decarbonization Multimodal Transport Frameworks Legal Compatibility in Cross-Border Transport Activities: Active in academic presentations, including oral presentations at Nordic Maritime Gathering 2023, InterTran Research Seminar, and other EU transport law events. Collaborates with scholars like Eftestöl, Bask, and Wyatt. Contact: Email: maximilian.huemer@helsinki.fi | ORCID: 0009-0007-6472-7814
