Andres Lucero is Associate Professor of Interaction Design at Aalto University's Department of Art and Media, specializing in human-computer interaction for mobile devices and interactive surfaces. His research integrates human-computer interaction, design methodologies, and playful interfaces. He holds a PhD from Eindhoven University of Technology and has industry experience from Nokia, where he led user-centered design projects as Senior Researcher. Research explores tangible interfaces, social wearables, museum experience design, human-AI collaboration, and cross-cultural co-design approaches. Recent projects investigate conversational agents in design processes, persona generation workflows, and freeform interactive devices. Dr. Lucero received the Honourable Mention Award at MUM 2020 for innovative interaction research. His work advances design methods through first-person perspectives, AI integration, and novel interaction paradigms.
Hannu Toivonen is a Full Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the Department of Computer Science. He leads the Discovery Research Group and is part of the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT) and the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI). He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Helsinki in 1996 and has held his professorship since 2002. His research spans Artificial Intelligence , Data Science , Computational Creativity , and Data Mining , with applications in generative art, automated journalism, and bioinformatics. His research focuses on: Developing AI systems for creative tasks (e.g., poetry, music, and art generation) Cross-lingual natural language processing and unsupervised learning Ethical and societal implications of AI in media and labor Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021–2025) reveals a strong emphasis on computational creativity and AI-driven content generation , with interdisciplinary applications in digital humanities, journalism, and biology. Trends include ethical AI frameworks, human-AI collaboration, and innovative evaluation methods for generative systems. Scientific Awards & Honors: Knight, First Class, Order of the White Rose of Finland (2019) Best Applied Research Award, IEEE ICDM (1998) Honorary Member of TKO-äly (2010) Member of Finnish Academy of Science and Letters He has supervised over 20 doctoral theses and secured ~7 MEUR in grants (e.g., EU projects: Embeddia , Newseye ). He leads the Discovery Research Group and collaborates with institutions like VUB (Belgium) as a Francqui International Professor (2025).
Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUTFinland
Adeel Tariq is a Post-Doctoral Researcher at the Industrial Engineering and Management department of LUT School of Engineering Sciences , Lappeenranta University of Technology, Finland. He completed his Ph.D. (2019) and MBA (2014) at the School of Management , Asian Institute of Technology, Thailand. Research Focus: Technology and innovation management, digital transformation, sustainable development, knowledge management, and leadership studies. Peer Review: Active reviewer for journals including Leadership & Organization Development Journal , Journal of Intellectual Capital , and European Journal of Innovation Management . Collaborations: Regular co-author with Waqas Tariq, Muhammad Saleem Sumbal, and Marko Torkkeli on topics like digital governance, fintech, and SME sustainability.
Nathaly Carolina Pinto Torres is a Doctoral Researcher at Aalto University's Department of Design, working on critical design interventions for marginalized communities. Since 2020, she has led the "Emergencia de Educación en la Amazonía Ecuatoriana" project, collaborating with indigenous students and Confeniae to develop pictographic communication systems challenging social exclusion. Her research spans: Participatory design with indigenous communities Gender justice in education during crises Epistemic justice in plurinational contexts Visual resistance strategies in Amazonian regions Postcolonial educational frameworks Design for socio-environmental transformation Publication trends show focus on: Visual communication systems for marginalized groups Crisis-driven educational design Decolonial methodologies Intersectional analysis of exclusion Epistemic justice in academia Collective resilience building Scientific recognition includes: Best Demo Award (2021) SENESCYT International Graduate Scholarship (2019) Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) (2010)
Kristiina Kumpulainen is a Professor at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Educational Sciences, leading the Learning, Culture & Interventions (LECI) research group. Currently on leave but actively engaged in research, she supervises doctoral students in both the Doctoral Program in Cognition, Learning, Teaching and Communication and the Doctoral Program in School, Education, Society and Culture. Her scholarly contributions include 270 research outputs and leadership of 27 research projects, with recent work focusing on children's digital experiences and early childhood education systems. Her research interests center on educational sciences with emphasis on early childhood education, digital literacy development, learning environments, and educational change processes. She examines how children interact with technology, develop ecological imagination, and build multiliteracy skills across different contexts. Her work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical educational interventions, particularly examining agency-structure dynamics in educational settings and the implementation of child-centric educational systems. Analysis of her recent publications reveals consistent focus on digital childhoods, educational interventions, and comparative early childhood education systems. Her work spans multiple methodologies including qualitative case studies, comparative analyses, and theoretical explorations of learning across contexts. The research demonstrates strong international collaboration, particularly within Nordic countries and global comparative studies. Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2019) 2020 Editor's Choice Award from British Educational Research Association (2021) Nomination for Outstanding Publication Award from EARLI (2002) Nomination for best paper award at THE POWER OF MEDIA IN EDUCATION Conference (2007) Professor Kumpulainen has supervised numerous doctoral students and served on dissertation committees. Her research has been supported by significant grants including the Australian Research Council, Finnish Academy of Science, and Nordic research networks. She actively participates in academic service through editorial boards, peer review activities (over 90 manuscript reviews), and professional committees. She directs the Playful Learning Center research laboratory, which focuses on innovative approaches to children's learning through play and technology integration.
Teemu Malmi is a Professor in the Department of Accounting at the School of Business, Aalto University, Finland. He has been an influential figure in management accounting research, particularly in management control systems and performance measurement. His academic qualifications include a Doctoral degree (1997), Licentiate degree (1994), and Master's degree (1990), all in Business and Economics from the Helsinki School of Economics. His research interests span management control, performance measurement, digitalization in finance, public sector accounting, and organizational behavior. His work often integrates empirical analysis with case studies, including a notable investigation into Nokia’s management control challenges. He has published extensively in top-tier journals and contributed to major handbooks in accounting and information systems. The recent trend in his publications (2020–2025) reflects a growing emphasis on digital transformation, blockchain, data analytics, and the evolving role of finance functions. His research increasingly bridges traditional accounting with technology and public policy, especially in healthcare financing and sustainability. Scientific Awards: “Thirst for knowledge” (“Tiedon Jano”) award by JOKO Executive Education Oy (2001) Teemu Malmi has supervised at least five theses and led externally funded research projects, including the SOTE/Kaks project (2015–2016) on social and healthcare services. He has been actively involved in academic service, such as serving on editorial boards, hosting international scholars, presenting keynote lectures, and participating in funding organization committees. His media appearances demonstrate his engagement in public discourse on welfare policy and regional financing in Finland. There is no indication of part-time status, retirement, or former staff designation; he remains an active academic.
Elisa Maarit Lähde serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Architecture at Aalto University, where she advances sustainable urban design through interdisciplinary research at the intersection of landscape architecture, ecology, and planning. Her work focuses on transforming urban environments through biodiversity integration and socio-ecological innovation. Dr. Lähde's research centers on urban biodiversity mainstreaming, regenerative design frameworks, and landscape architectural storytelling. She pioneers approaches for integrating ecosystem services into urban planning, with particular emphasis on climate adaptation, green-blue infrastructure, and human-nature connection building. Her methodologies frequently employ co-creative processes with stakeholders to develop context-specific socio-ecological solutions. Recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate a cohesive research trajectory examining practical applications of biodiversity principles across diverse urban contexts. Key thematic clusters include: (1) ecological assessment frameworks for built environments; (2) regenerative design strategies for Anthropocene challenges; (3) maritime spatial planning innovations; and (4) narrative techniques for enhancing ecological literacy. Her work bridges theoretical rigor with Finnish and international case studies, reflecting strong commitment to both scholarly contribution and real-world implementation. Dr. Lähde's scholarly contributions have been recognized through significant professional accolades: First prize in the Elielinaukio architectural competition (December 2021) for Helsinki Central Railway Station surroundings renewal Finalist in Ericsson Innovation Awards for FoodGrid project (June 2017) addressing Future of Food challenges First prize in International Stormwater Innovation Competition (November 2014) for urban furniture with water detention Honorary mention in Hiedanranta ideas competition (January 2017) for "There’s a New Town in the City" proposal While specific advising relationships and grant funding details aren't documented in available materials, her research portfolio demonstrates substantial collaborative engagement through multi-institutional publications and competition participations that likely involve student mentorship and research team leadership.
Lauri Väkevä is a Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Helsinki, specializing in educational sciences with a focus on performing arts, music education, and STEAM pedagogy. He actively supervises doctoral students in the Doctoral Programme in School, Education, Society, and Culture and leads the SKAPA project (2024–2026) on developing study paths in arts education. His research explores the intersection of artificial intelligence, creativity, and multimodal learning environments. Key Affiliations: Department of Education, Sibelius Academy collaboration, Gaudeamus publishing network Research Themes: AI in music education, safe spaces for artistic expression, responsible AI pedagogy, historical evolution of Finnish music institutions Recent Work Highlights : 2025: Generative AI as a Collaborator in Music Education (Action-Network Theory application) 2025: Voicing Responsible AI Pedagogy (Ethical frameworks for arts education) 2024: Changing Role of Sibelius Academy (Historical analysis of Finnish music education) Leadership & Engagement : Project Manager for SKAPA, organizing committee member for the 2024 Ainedidaktinen Symposium, and active participant in AI research events.
Matti Tedre is a Professor at the School of Computing, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, University of Eastern Finland. His research focuses on computer science education, ICT4D, social studies of computer science, and the history and philosophy of computer science. He leads the Technologies for Learning and Development research group and is involved in the Generation AI project (2022–2028), exploring AI education for security mindset development. His work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing educational technology, AI literacy, and participatory design. Recent projects include developing low-cost AI kits for novice learners and co-designing ML-driven apps with children. He collaborates globally on topics like K-12 computing education, data agency, and ethical AI integration in classrooms. Key contributions include studies on scaffolding in ML education, children’s understanding of algorithmic biases, and the role of generative AI in creative learning. His research also addresses challenges in Tanzanian ICT adoption, including financial management systems for informal groups and timetabling software for higher education institutions. Tedre’s interdisciplinary approach spans computer science, education, and sociology, with a focus on democratizing AI access and fostering critical digital literacy among youth and educators.
Satu Rekonen is a Lecturer at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, Aalto University School of Engineering. She holds a Doctoral degree (2019), Licentiate degree (2018), and Master's degree (2010) in Engineering and Technology from Aalto University. Her research focuses on Design Thinking, innovation management, and creative processes in multidisciplinary teams. A key contribution is exploring how diverse expertise impacts creativity and organizational innovation. Her work addresses wicked problems through collaborative frameworks exemplified in the Sitra Lab case study. Rekonen has received the 2014 Teaching achievement of the year award from Aalto University School of Engineering for educational excellence. She has conducted visiting research at Stanford University (2017), ESADE Business School (2018), and Swinburne University of Technology (2012), enriching her cross-cultural academic perspectives.
Jenni Alisaari is a Professor of Education specializing in Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Education at the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland. Her work focuses on linguistically responsible pedagogy, multilingualism in education, and culturally responsive teaching practices. Teaches Master’s Degree Programme in Early Language Education for Intercultural Communication Former roles include University Lecturer of Finnish at University of Stockholm, Special Researcher in Sociology at INVEST Research Centre, and Teacher Trainer at University of Turku and Åbo Akademi Research interests intersect language, culture, and identity in educational contexts. She studies: Linguistically Responsible Pedagogy Multilingual Learners Support for Newly Arrived Students Using Music in Language Instruction Language as a Cultural Identity Resource Curriculum Reform Implementation Her publications since 2015 reveal a focus on: Intercultural Communication in Classrooms Migrant Student Belonging Language Policy in Nordic Countries Cognitive Benefits of Musical Language Instruction Teacher Training for Linguistic Diversity Educational Equity Frameworks
Anu Kajamaa, PhD, is an Adjunct Professor and Principal Investigator in the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She also holds positions as an Honorary Professor at the University of Exeter's College of Social Sciences and International Studies (UK) and as a Visiting Associate Professor at Aalto University in both the School of Business (Department of Management Studies) and the School of Arts, Design and Architecture (Department of Media). She serves as Co-Leader of the Learning, Culture and Interventions (LECI) expert group and Vice Director of the Doctoral Program of School, Education, Society and Culture (SEDUCE). Dr. Kajamaa's research focuses on collective learning, creativity, organization and management, continuous learning, and change through interprofessional working and formative interventions. She is an expert in sociocultural- and practice-based theories, qualitative research methods, and participatory intervention techniques, particularly cultural historical activity theory and the Change Laboratory method. Her work spans multiple contexts including primary schools, teacher education, prisons, health and social care, and entrepreneurship hubs. Her recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward educational innovation through makerspaces and the integration of technology in learning environments. The research shows increasing focus on AI-mediated learning processes, relational expertise development, and collaborative innovation practices across educational settings. Her work consistently applies sociocultural theoretical frameworks to examine how learning occurs in complex, real-world contexts. 2023: The Royal Society of Medicine and Center for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education Practitioners Award, UK 2022: Early Career Award, American Educational Research Association (AERA) 2021: The Clinical Teacher Journal Impact Award 2020: Editor's Choice Award (BERA and BJET) 2015: The Adult Educator of the Year, University of Helsinki Dr. Kajamaa has secured significant research funding including an EU HORIZON 2020-MSCA-RISE project on collaborative working between correctional and mental health services, an Erasmus+ KA205 Strategic Partnerships project on media literacy, and an Academy of Finland-funded project on makerspaces. She coordinates the Nordic Research Network on Digitalising Childhoods and is a member of the Playful Learning Center ecosystem. As one of the founders of the European Centre of Excellence in Qualitative Study and Inquiry in Training and Education, she has established herself as a leader in qualitative educational research methodology. Her international research collaborations span institutions including University College London, McGill University, Columbia University, and the University of Oulu. She has been a visiting researcher at numerous institutions worldwide including UC Berkeley, ESSEC Business School, and the University of Exeter. Her work with the Playful Learning Center and the Nordic-Baltic ISCAR network demonstrates her commitment to advancing educational research through international collaboration.
Juho Leinonen is an Academy Research Fellow at Aalto University's Department of Computer Science, Finland, specializing in AI-enhanced computing education. His work focuses on leveraging large language models (LLMs) to transform programming instruction through personalized learning analytics and educational technology. Education Background: PhD in Computer Science, University of Helsinki (2019) Docent (Adjunct Professor) in Computer Science, University of Helsinki Postdoctoral research at The University of Auckland, Aalto University, and University of Helsinki Research Focus: Leinonen's work centers on three interconnected pillars: (1) developing fine-grained learning analytics to decode student programming behavior; (2) applying LLMs to create adaptive educational tools for diverse learners; and (3) implementing learnersourcing strategies for scalable resource generation. His research particularly addresses challenges in multilingual programming education and responsible AI integration, with emphasis on non-native English speakers and novice programmers. Publication Trends: Recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a concentrated exploration of generative AI in computing education, with 85% focused on LLM applications. Key themes include synthetic data generation for educational research, multilingual prompting systems, and ethical frameworks for AI feedback. His work demonstrates both practical implementations (e.g., autocompletion quizzes) and critical analyses of AI limitations in educational contexts. Awards & Recognition: ACE2024 Best Paper Award for LLM-generated worked examples study UKICER 2023 Best Paper Award for achievement goals research ACE 2023 Best Practitioner Paper ICER 2022 Best Paper Award for programming exercise generation SIGCSE TS 2022 Best Paper in Computing Education Research ACE 2021 Best Paper Award for contextualized problem descriptions Research Leadership: As principal investigator of the Academy of Finland-funded project 'Advanced Student Modeling and Tailored LLMs for Personalized Learning', Leinonen supervises PhD students and postdocs while leading international collaborations with institutions including The University of Auckland and University of Helsinki. His grant portfolio focuses on ethical AI deployment in education and cross-cultural computing pedagogy. Collaborative Networks: He maintains active partnerships with leading computing education researchers like Paul Denny (Auckland), Arto Hellas (Aalto), and Andrew Luxton-Reilly (Auckland), evidenced by 90% co-authored publications. His work appears consistently in top venues including ACM SIGCSE, ICER, and ACE conferences.
Felix Epp is a Researcher at Aalto University in Finland, with collaborative ties to the University of Helsinki. His work investigates interactive technologies, wearable systems, and socio-cultural practices through methods like research through design and participatory approaches . He holds a doctoral degree focused on how wearable technologies reshape clothing practices and social norms, with recent expansions into critical futures studies to anticipate societal impacts of emerging technologies. Research Focus Epp's interdisciplinary interests bridge technology design, human behavior, and speculative futures. Key themes include: Embodied Interaction : How wearables alter social identities and cultural rituals (e.g., dress practices). Anticipatory Design : Integrating futures methodologies to navigate technological uncertainty and ethical dilemmas. Co-design & Values : Examining ideological underpinnings of digital systems through community-centered approaches. Publication Trends His recent articles emphasize speculative futures (e.g., more-than-human scenarios, policy foresight) and wearable technology (e.g., smart clothing ethics, social adoption). Methodologically, he prioritizes qualitative fieldwork and generative design , often exploring tensions between innovation and societal risks like surveillance or digital divides. Awards Honorable mention, Department of Design (Muotoilun laitos), Aalto University (Apr 2025) Honourable Mention Award MUM 2020, Department of Computer Science (Tietotekniikan laitos), Aalto University (Nov 2020) Research Groups Epp contributes to the Inuse research group at Aalto, focusing on human-centered technology in everyday contexts.
Eeva Anttila is a Professor in Dance Pedagogy at the Theatre Academy of University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland, where she leads the MA program for dance pedagogy. She earned her Doctor of Arts degree in Dance from the Theatre Academy in 2003. Her research focuses on dialogical and critical dance pedagogy, embodied learning, and practice-based artistic research methods. Her education includes: Doctor of Arts in Dance (2003), Theatre Academy, Finland Anttila's research examines embodied knowledge through interdisciplinary approaches. She investigates how movement-based pedagogies facilitate transformative learning experiences across educational contexts, with particular focus on: Critical dialogical frameworks in arts education Embodiment as epistemological foundation Cross-disciplinary applications in language acquisition and physical education Social justice dimensions of artistic practices Her publications demonstrate consistent focus on arts integration in education, with recent trends exploring: Post-pandemic pedagogical adaptations Multisensory language learning approaches Interdisciplinary curriculum development Social-emotional dimensions of embodied practices Anttila leads significant research initiatives including: ELLA project (Embodied Language Learning through Arts) funded by KONE Foundation ARTSEQUAL research project (2015-2021) as Arts@School team leader 'The entire school dances!' national development project (2009-2013) She maintains active leadership roles in: Dance and the Child International (Chair 2009-2012) Observatory of Arts and Cultural Education, Finland (Founding member) Board of Uniarts (2015-2021)
