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Dr. Olle Järv is an Academy Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki's Department of Geosciences and Geography. As Docent in Human Geography and holder of a joint PhD from University of Tartu and Ghent University, his research focuses on leveraging big data sources like mobile phone records and social media for analyzing human mobility patterns across European cross-border regions. Key research areas: Spatial segregation, urban diversity, transnationalism, and pandemic-induced mobility changes Current projects: BORDERSPACE (2020-2025) – Mapping transnational spaces through mobility data MOBI-TWIN (2023-2026) – Regional mobility patterns in twin transitions WinWin4WorkLife (2024-2027) – Sustainable cross-border remote work His methodological innovations include developing tools for analyzing social media data and mobile phone records to study urban dynamics. Recent recognitions include the 2024 Research Council of Finland Award and 2021 Best Paper Award from Journal of Location Based Services.

• Human mobility
• Big data analysis
• Spatial segregation
• +7 more

Miriam Tedeschi serves as a Senior Researcher at the Faculty of Law, University of Turku, and holds a docentship in Human Geography at the Department of Geography and Geology. She leads the Research Council of Finland-funded project 'Justice in Digital Spaces' (JuDiCe, 2022-2025) and maintains a fellowship at the Westminster Law & Theory Lab, London. Her academic foundation includes a PhD in Regional Planning and Public Policies (University Institute of Architecture, Venice, 2017), an MA in Philosophy, and a BSc in Digital Communication. Prior to doctoral studies, she accumulated 15 years of professional experience as an ICT research consultant. Tedeschi's scholarship merges non-representational theories and new materialism to interrogate spatio-legal dynamics across segregated spaces, migratory contexts, natural environments, and digital-physical hybrids. Her work pioneers digital spatial justice frameworks, critically examining how datafication reshapes urban equity through empirical ethnography and theoretical innovation. Analysis of her 2023-2025 publications reveals a decisive pivot toward computational justice, where legal geography intersects with AI ethics, urban informatics, and posthuman jurisprudence. These works collectively forge transdisciplinary pathways for reimagining justice in algorithmically mediated spaces. Her scientific recognition includes: Westminster Law & Theory Lab Fellowship As an educator, Tedeschi directs 'Law and the Urban' (2022-present) and co-teaches 'Systemschange.now' (2020-2024). Her JuDiCe project exemplifies major grant leadership, integrating spatial theory with digital rights advocacy through Finland's premier research funding mechanism. She co-founded the 'Law, Space and Justice' research environment at Turku's Faculty of Law, catalyzing cross-institutional collaboration on justice-oriented spatial interventions.

• Spatial Justice
• Data Justice
• Urban Geography
• +3 more

Tuomas Väisänen is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Science and Department of Geosciences and Geography . He contributes to multiple research initiatives including the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ), Institute for Urban Studies (Urbaria), and Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). His academic work bridges computational geography with urban studies, focusing on multilingualism, digital data sources, and mobility patterns. Doctor of Philosophy (2019–2023), Multidisciplinary Doctoral Programme in Environmental Studies, University of Helsinki Master of Philosophy (2016–2018), Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki Bachelor of Science (2012–2016), Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki His research explores urban diversity through linguistic landscapes , dynamic populations , and residential area changes . He integrates sociolinguistics with geographical methods , emphasizing mobile phone data , social media analysis , and machine learning . Recent projects like BORDERSPACE and MOBI-TWIN investigate cross-border interactions and European territorial integration . His 15 most recent publications highlight trends in computational urban geography , geospatial datasets , and linguistic diversity mapping , with a focus on Erasmus+ mobility , national park interactions , and transnational functional areas . Contributions to open datasets (e.g., Mobi-Twin, Erasmus+ flows) underscore his commitment to digital methods and European regional development . While no formal awards are listed, his peer-review activities for journals like Computers, Environment and Urban Systems and Biological Conservation demonstrate academic engagement. He teaches spatial data methods to Master's students and provides guest lectures on computer vision and GIS . Collaborations span the European Commission, Academy of Finland, and University of Tartu Foundation.

• Urban geography
• Regional studies
• Mobility research
• +7 more

Mari Kaarina Vaattovaara is Professor of Urban Geography at the University of Helsinki, where she serves as Director of both the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria) and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). Affiliated with the Department of Geosciences and Geography within the Faculty of Science, she supervises doctoral students in two doctoral programs: the Doctoral Programme in Political, Societal and Regional Change and the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences. Professor Vaattovaara's research spans social and economic geography, urban studies, and sustainability science, with particular focus on neighborhood dynamics, housing policy, and urban development patterns. Her work examines how physical environments interact with social structures to shape community outcomes, with special attention to vulnerable populations and sustainable urban transitions. She frequently investigates the relationship between urban density, service accessibility, and quality of life in metropolitan contexts. Her recent publications reveal a consistent trajectory examining sustainable urban development through multiple lenses, including neighborhood sustainability indicators, housing policy challenges, and the impacts of urban form on social outcomes. While deeply rooted in the Finnish context, her research connects to broader European and global urban debates, with increasing attention to post-pandemic urban challenges and the implications of tourism for sustainable city development. Among her notable recognitions are: J.V. Snellman Prize (2013) Knight, First Class, of the White Rose of Finland (2016) Helsinki Medal for distinguished service to the city (2015) Ragnar Hult Medal (2014) Election to the Finnish Academy of Science (2016) Professor Vaattovaara leads multiple significant research initiatives including the MSCA-DN SUNSET project (2024-2028) funded by the European Commission, The Future of Diverse and Disadvantaged project (2022-2026) funded by Svenska Litteratursällskapet i Finland, and the Urban Academy initiative connecting academic research with practical urban development challenges. Her work bridges academic research with policy impact through external positions including External Research Fellow at University College London (since 2014), Member of the Supervisory Board at Hypoteekkiyhdistys (since 2014), and Auntosäätiö Board Member (since 2012). As Director of Urbaria and HELSUS, Professor Vaattovaara oversees interdisciplinary research hubs that bring together scholars from across the university to address complex urban and sustainability challenges. These institutes facilitate collaboration between academic researchers, municipal authorities, and community organizations to develop evidence-based approaches to urban development and sustainability transitions.

• Social and economic geography
• Urban geography
• Sustainability science
• +4 more

Hossam Hewidy is a Senior University Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at Aalto University's Department of Architecture, where he serves as Head of Major in Architecture for the Master’s Programme and Head of the Minor in Urban and Regional Planning. With dual expertise as an architect and urban planner, he bridges professional practice and academic research in Nordic urban contexts. His educational background includes a DSc, MSc, and BA in Architecture. Research interests span multicultural planning, placemaking, power dynamics in planning, spatial justice, land use and climate change mitigation, planning education, and public libraries as urban hubs. His work critically examines immigrant entrepreneurship, ethnic retail landscapes, and spatial justice through Helsinki case studies. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Analysis of public libraries as social infrastructure across Nordic cities, (2) Investigation of spatial justice in Helsinki planning competitions and immigrant spaces, and (3) Exploration of urban resilience through Finnish regional development frameworks. His scholarship consistently centers marginalized voices in planning processes. Hewidy's scientific recognition includes: Best Diploma Thesis Grant by OSKARI VILAMON RAHASTON (2020) for supervising Heta Seppälä's urban metabolism research Lappset Prize (2018) for supervising award-winning landscape architecture thesis He has secured funding from the Academy of Finland, Finnish Ministry of Environment’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, BEMINE consortium, and EU regional instruments. As AESOP Executive Committee member and GPEAN Secretary, he shapes global planning education standards while leading curriculum development for post-pandemic mixed-modality teaching in architecture studios. His departmental leadership extends to evolving the Architecture Major and Urban Planning Minor programs, with current focus on integrating climate resilience into spatial planning education and examining public libraries as critical social infrastructure in urban transformation.

• multicultural planning
• placemaking
• power dynamics in planning
• +4 more

Tuukka Saarimaa is an Associate Professor of Urban Economics at Aalto University and a member of the Helsinki Graduate School of Economics (Helsinki GSE). He chairs the Urban Economics research group at Helsinki GSE and serves on the Finnish Economic Policy Council . Research Focus: Housing economics, urban policy, political economy, local public finance Key Projects: Myllypuro urban renewal analysis, one-room apartment boom studies Expertise: Analyzing housing market dynamics, socioeconomic segregation, and municipal finance Recent Publications include urban housing trends in Finland's six largest cities (2025), Myllypuro redevelopment impact assessments (2024), and analyses of one-room apartment market segmentation. His work combines spatial econometrics with policy evaluation frameworks. Collaborations extend to AlueAvain.fi research platform and Nordic urban economics networks. He actively engages in public discourse through social media and media contributions to HS and ETLA publications.

• Housing Economics
• Urban Economics
• Political Economics
• +3 more

Hanna-Mari Ikonen is an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä. She specializes in social scientific research on work, employment, and the political economy of sport. Her research examines in-work poverty, gender inequalities, rural livelihoods, and the intersections of work and family life. Research Interests: Workplace precarity and in-work poverty Gender segregation in labor markets Self-employment and entrepreneurship Rural socio-economic dynamics Multi-species well-being and physical activity Her recent work focuses on low-income working mothers in Finland, academic mothers facing gendered barriers in universities, and the challenges faced by rural populations with precarious employment. Key projects include the Ministry-funded HUOMA initiative studying rural safety and livelihoods, and research on the working poor in post-industrial welfare states. Notable Contributions: Explored how work-life balance intersects with entrepreneurial activities among rural women and 'mumpreneurs' Analyzed policy responses to in-work poverty and welfare dependency Examined discourses of choice and constraint in mothers' academic careers Her interdisciplinary approach bridges sociology, social policy, and health sciences, with a focus on marginalized populations' lived experiences in labor markets.

• Sociology
• Social Policy
• Work and Employment Studies
• +7 more

Kerli Müürisepp is a Researcher and Research Coordinator at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Digital Geography Lab, Helsinki Inequality Initiative, and Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies. She holds a PhD from the University of Helsinki (2023), an MSc from the University of Tartu (2013), and a BSc from the University of Tartu (2009), with additional studies at Ghent University. Her research focuses on urban segregation, socio-spatial inequalities, environmental exposures, and human mobility, leveraging Big Data and mobile phone data. She leads the ERC-funded GREENTRAVEL project, investigating equitable access to green spaces during urban travels, and oversees project administration and lab operations. Education: PhD in Geography, University of Helsinki (2023) MSc in Human Geography and Regional Planning, University of Tartu (2013) BSc in Geography, University of Tartu (2009) Exchange studies at Ghent University (2009-2010) Research Interests: Urban segregation dynamics, socio-spatial inequalities, environmental justice, activity space analysis, Big Data methodologies, and transnational mobilities. Her work integrates interdisciplinary approaches to understand how daily mobility patterns reflect and reinforce social divides. Grants & Projects: GREENTRAVEL (EU Horizon Europe) BORDERSPACE (Academy of Finland) MAPHEL (Emil Aaltosen Säätiö) Awards: Best Paper Award 2021 (Journal of Location Based Services) III Prize in Estonian National Contest for University Students (2013) Lab & Teams: Core member of the Digital Geography Lab, collaborating on projects like socio-spatial dialogues and urban linguistic landscapes.

• Urban Geography
• Human Mobility
• Segregation
• +5 more

Henrietta Grönlund is a Professor of Urban Theology at the University of Helsinki since 2019, affiliated with the Faculty of Theology and institutes like Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ) and Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria). She holds a Doctor of Theology (2012) and Docent title in Church and Social Studies. Research Focus: Her work examines religion’s role in urban contexts, addressing inequality, wellbeing, and prosocial behavior. Specific themes include religious spaces’ safety, community resilience, and welfare state margins during crises like the pandemic. Methodological innovations combine ethnography with community engagement. Projects: CoCo Project (2023–2027): Exploring safety in religious spaces. Covid-19 Marginalized Communities (2021–2023): Welfare state vulnerabilities. Helsinki Neighborhood Resilience (2020–2022): Urban segregation analysis. Awards: 2017 Docent of the Year 2018 Erasmus+ Success Story Award 2013 Rudney Memorial Award (Honorable Mention) Teaching & Service: Pioneer in service-learning pedagogy, developed programs in UNA Europa and European Observatory of Service-Learning. Supervised doctoral research, including Hanna Nurmi’s ongoing thesis. Active in 30+ international committees and peer reviews. Media & Outreach: Frequently consulted on urban religion, civil society, and philanthropy. Over 160 media engagements, including a 2024 opinion piece advocating for stronger urban religious voices.

• Urban Theology
• Sociology of Religion
• Civil Society
• +4 more

Teemu Jama is a Doctoral Researcher in the Department of Architecture at Aalto University, specializing in urban planning and urban design with expertise in sustainable urban development and compact city frameworks. His work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in Finnish urban contexts. His research critically examines: Urban density dynamics and local amenity correlations Climate change mitigation through systemic urban planning reforms Biodiversity integration in 21st-century urban design Geopolitical vulnerabilities of open geospatial data Social dimensions of suburban segregation Housing policy innovations for single-family dwellings Recent publications demonstrate a pronounced focus on Helsinki and Vantaa case studies, revealing consistent emphasis on reconciling densification pressures with environmental resilience while addressing geopolitical data challenges and social equity concerns in Nordic urban landscapes. Scientific recognition includes: Vuoden Kuntatekniikan Saavutus 2015 award for consultancy work on Helsinki's general plan regarding boulevard impact assessment

• Urban Planning
• Urban Design
• Sustainable Urban Development
• +4 more

Sanna Ala-Mantila is an Assistant Professor at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme within the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences . She is also a core member of the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria) . As a supervisor, she guides students in the Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences . Her research focuses on urban sustainability , environmental inequality , and spatial dimensions of climate policy . Key areas include analyzing socioeconomic segregation, air pollution disparities, and consumption-based carbon footprint dynamics. Methodologically, she employs GIS-based spatial analysis, policy evaluation, and interdisciplinary frameworks. Ala-Mantila leads two major research projects: AI-based optimization tool for sustainable urban planning (2025–2026) and Smartland: Sustainable urbanization through land use planning (2022–2025). These projects aim to develop equitable urban solutions and reduce environmental inequities through data-driven strategies. Her work bridges environmental sciences, social geography, and urban planning, addressing global challenges such as climate change mitigation and urban well-being. She actively contributes to peer review for journals like Journal of Cleaner Production and collaborates with international research networks.

• Environmental Sciences
• Urban Sustainability
• Climate Change
• +3 more

Mira Kalalahti is an Associate Professor at the University of Jyväskylä’s Faculty of Education and Psychology, Department of Teacher Education, and holds a Docent title at the University of Helsinki. She leads research initiatives on guidance systems, educational equality, and career trajectories. Her work integrates sociology and policy analysis to explore how guidance practices shape youth transitions and social inclusion. She supervises master's students and contributes to national evaluations like the 'Elontila' study on lifelong guidance. Key Affiliations: University of Jyväskylä, University of Helsinki (Docent) Research Units: Guidance and Counselling Education and Research Unit, Research Seminar on Guidance and Education Policy Projects: ULearn, EDUCA Flagship, Elontila (National Lifelong Guidance Evaluation) Research Interests: Focus on career guidance governance, equity in education, migrant youth pathways, and policy impacts. Her work emphasizes critical perspectives on how guidance systems mediate social justice and agency. Publications highlight themes like policy impact evaluation, migrant inclusion through guidance, and systemic coordination of lifelong learning services. Awards include the 2012 Kasvatus-lehden research article prize. Advising and Grants: Supervises master’s students and participates in projects funded by ministries and foundations, focusing on education equity and policy reform. Her work spans international collaborations, particularly in Nordic career guidance systems. Labs/Teams: Active in the COCAG (Critical Perspectives on Career Guidance) network and the KUPOLI Research Unit at the University of Helsinki.

• Sociology of Education
• Career Guidance
• Educational Policy
• +3 more

Hannu Ruonavaara is a Professor of Sociology at the Department of Social Research, University of Turku, and a Visiting Professor at Uppsala University, Sweden, specializing in housing and social theory. He holds a Doctorate (1993) in Political Sciences (Sociology) from the University of Turku. Master of Political Sciences (1984) Licenciate of Political Sciences (1989) Doctor of Political Sciences (1993) His research focuses on housing policy, residential segregation, and neighbour relations, with theoretical and empirical studies on housing acquisition processes and segregation mitigation in urban Finland. Recent publications explore policy barriers, housing class resurgence, and interdisciplinary housing research. Hannu supervises Master's and Doctoral students in sociology and runs research seminars. He serves as editor for the international journal Housing, Theory and Society , integrating housing studies with social and behavioural theory.

• Housing Policy
• Residential Segregation
• Neighbour Relations
• +3 more

Lotta Junnilainen is an Academy Research Fellow and University Lecturer at the Department of Geosciences and Geography, Faculty of Science, University of Helsinki. She is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria) and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science. Her academic work spans urban sociology, social geography, and ethnographic research methodologies. Junnilainen is currently leading the Academy of Finland-funded project 'The moral drama of street gangs. A multidimensional approach to the "gang problem" in Finland' (MoDS 2023-2027), which examines street gang phenomena through multiple perspectives beyond just those labeled as 'gang members.' She also serves as supervisor for doctoral programs in Social Sciences and Political, Societal and Regional Change. Her research interests focus on inequality, urban spaces, democracy, and community dynamics, with particular attention to marginalized youth, low-income neighborhoods, and social class structures. Her ethnographic approach involves deep immersion in the everyday lives of research subjects, examining cultural practices and social interactions within urban environments. Junnilainen's scholarly output demonstrates a consistent focus on urban sociology and social inequality, with publications covering topics from street gangs to neighborhood dynamics, precarious work in the service industry, and immigrant integration in Finnish cities. Her research shows a progression from studying urban poverty and neighborhood dynamics to more complex examinations of moral frameworks surrounding social issues. Sociology-lehden toimituskauden 2019-2021 paras artikkeli (Best article of the 2019-2021 editorial period of the Sociology journal), March 25, 2022 Junnilainen actively participates in doctoral education, supervising theses related to inequality, social class, urban research, and qualitative methodologies. Her extensive conference participation across Europe demonstrates her engagement with broader academic communities in urban sociology and social research methods. She has held visiting researcher positions at NYU's Department of Sociology and Humboldt University, reflecting her international scholarly connections.

• Sociology
• Urban Sociology
• Social and economic geography
• +7 more

Kirsi Juhila is a Professor of Welfare Sciences at Tampere University, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences. Her work focuses on social work practices, homelessness, marginalization, and qualitative research methods. She leads research projects such as SEGRA (Fighting segregation and homelessness) and GEOHOME (Geographies of Home-based Service Interactions). Her studies explore home visits, interprofessional collaboration, and transformative welfare policies. Key research interests include face-to-face interaction in social work, spatial justice in urban renewal, and the role of housing in inclusion. She has contributed to Housing First initiatives and published extensively on client-professional dynamics, discourse analysis, and governmental discourses in welfare services. Recent studies analyze displacement due to urban development, client categorization in probation work, and resistance to marginalization. Her work bridges social work and urban studies, emphasizing equitable urban policies and sustainable community development. Collaborations include Margi Research Group (discourse approaches) and international projects on social work and counseling. Her research appears in journals like Qualitative Social Work and European Journal of Social Work .

• Social Work Practices
• Welfare Policy
• Homelessness
• +7 more