The academic board elections of Tampere University will be held on 17-28.11.2025. The UNITY alliance comprises 15 professors (Group 1) from the ENS, ITC, MET and MAB faculties, with a general goal of making our university a better place to work and study for all, regardless of the field or campus.
Key themes of Unity
COHESION AND TRUST
Different fields have different needs and traditions. By understanding and respecting each other’s ways of working, we can make TAU a stronger research university.
INCLUSION AND INTERNATIONALIZATION
All community members should have equal possibilities to influence joint issues and take a role in university administration.
FOCUS ON ACADEMIC MATTERS
Science first – the main focus of the Academic Board should be advancing teaching and research, including research infrastructure.
REACHING OUT
Tight societal interaction and external partnerships are vital for the university, and make us stronger.
Candidates
Leena Aarikka-Stenroos
- Professor in Industrial Engineering and Management, Faculty of Management and Business
- Focus areas: Sustainable technology business and innovation (including circular economy, decarbonization, and healthcare).
- Extensive experience in fostering interdisciplinary research projects and collaboration across disciplines.
- Leader of the Research Center ManCE (Managing Circular Economy) and the Center for Technology and Innovation Research. Member of the Committee for the Doctoral Programme in Business and Technology Management (TOTO). Active in societal engagement: Member of the Expert Panel for Sustainable Development.
Marika Kokko
- Professor in Bio and Circular Economy, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, ENS
- Sustainable solutions for the valorization of industrial and municipal side and waste streams
- Experience as the Head of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences, ENS
Lasse Laurson
- Professor in Computational Physics, Physics, ENS
- Computational materials research from a complex systems viewpoint
- Head of the Computational Physics Laboratory, member of the Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences, Physics Unit steering group, ENS steering committee for research, and a deputy member of the board of Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP).
Jonathan Massera
- Professor in Biomaterials, MET
- Focus on bioceramics with an emphasis on bioactive glasses for bone and soft tissue regeneration
- Director of the International MSc degree in BMSE
Kristo Mela
- Associate Professor (tenure track) of Steel Structures
- Member of Science Council, since 2022
- 20 years of experience on working in various communities at the Hervanta campus (mathematics, electromagnetics, mechanical engineering, civil engineering)
Teemu Murtola
Professor of Urology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Chief Physician, Tampere University Hospital, Department of Urology
Matti Nykter
- Professor in Bioinformatics, and head of Biomedicine unit, Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology
- Multidiciplinary background with degree from computer science and research focus on cancer genomics in particular on prostate cancer
- Head of MSc specialization in Bioinformatics
- Active participation on various university councils over 20 years, member of academic board 2022-2025.
Mikko Hokka
- Professor in Mechanics of Materials, Materials Science and Environmental Engineering, ENS.
- Experience as Head of Unit of Materials Science and Environmental Engineering and as Vice president of Professors Council
- Proud serving member of the community since 2000 with memberships in numerous councils and working groups
- Practical problem solver with forward looking mindset
Niku Oksala
Professor (Chief) of Surgery and Vascular Surgery, MD, PhD, DSc
Thomas Olsson
- Professor in Human-Technology Interaction, Computing Sciences, ITC
- Interdisciplinary bridge-builder skillful in both critical and creative thinking
- Experience as the director of DigiSus research platform, head of CSEE international degree programme, Computing Sciences Unit steering group
Jaakko Peltonen
- Professor of Statistics and Data Analysis, Computing Sciences, ITC
- Statistical machine learning innovator with broad interdisciplinary collaboration
- Experience as co-director of Data Science research centre, responsible for Statistical Data Analysis study tracks, ITC faculty council reserve member
Tomi Roinila
- Associate Professor in Power Electronics, Computing Sciences, ITC
- Specializes in controlling power flows and occasionally his own will to attend another meeting
- Director of the Electrical Engineering programme, veteran of endless committees, and troubleshooter of circuits, crises, and crushed deadlines
Heli Skottman
- Active since 2005 in university leadership roles: Faculty Council, Research Council, Education Council, and Head of MSc specialization in Cell Technology
- Expert in stem cells, tissue engineering, and ophthalmic applications, with strong experience in innovation, industry collaboration, and spin-off creation.
- Recognized with awards including the Academy of Finland Award for Scientific Courage, the Valo Award (Aamulehti) and the Pirkanmaa Award, and brings a threefold perspective as researcher, teacher, and learner with studies in University Pedagogy and Higher Education Administration and Management (KOHA)
Mark van Gils
- Professor of Digital Healthcare, Biomedical Technology, MET
- I try to solve decision-making problems in healthcare using data-analysis methods combined with smart insights and experiences from others.
- Over 25 years of experience in working in, and leading, multi-disciplinary multi-cultural teams and research co-operations as well as in teaching.
Antti Vehkaoja
- Professor of Sensor Technology and Biomeasurements, Biomedical Technology, MET
- Physiological measurements, signal processing, and data analytics expert
- Current and previous experience in working as a member of the faculty council as well as steering groups of basic and doctoral education of the faculty