Speakers

Mari Walls took up her appointment as President of Tampere University at the beginning of 2019. Before joining the University, Walls served as President and CEO of LUKE Natural Resources Institute Finland ever since its establishment in 2015. Walls received her doctoral degree from the University of Turku in 1989. She completed her upper secondary school diploma in Tampere.

Linda Liukas is the author and illustrator of Hello Ruby, a children’s picture book about the whimsical world of computers, as well as the founder of Rails Girls, a global movement to teach young women programming in over 260 cities. Her speech at the opening ceremony will explore our digital present and future from different perspectives. She holds an honorary doctorate from Tampere University.

Paula Sajaniemi is studying for a biotechnology degree at Tampere University and is the first person to chair the student union TREY. Made up of 18,000 members, TREY represents the interests of students at Tampere University, facilitates the work of student associations, provides services for its members and fosters a sense of community on campus.

Besides holding as associate professorship, Esa Jämsen works as Chief Physician at the Geriatrics Centre of Tampere University Hospital (TAYS). A significant part of his teaching and research activities and clinical work is related to the assessment and treatment of acutely ill elderly patients. Jämsen is involved in the development of care pathways and clinical practice guidelines at the regional and national levels.

Kaisa Kotakorpi specialises in public economics, particularly taxation. Her research explores the evaluation of public policies and the impact of the tax and benefit system on the behaviour and wellbeing of citizens.

Tiina Merikanto is YLE’s special correspondent who covers social issues and healthcare. She is known for her coverage of the Finnish social and healthcare reform both in print media and on live television. Merikanta has received several awards, such as the Bonnier Grand Journalist Prize and the Information Award granted by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim.

Samuli Pekkola’s area of expertise is the management of organisational information systems and IT governance. His research interests are especially in IT governance in the municipal sector and related government control.

Sari Räisänen is an Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology and holds a doctoral degree in the field of health care. Her research and development activities focus on the wellbeing of women and families, sexual and reproductive health, register-based research and the utilisation of genetic data in health research.

Juho Saari is a Professor of Social and Health Policy whose research deals with the welfare state, inequality and wellbeing. He has participated in the development and implementation of social policy and published approximately 400 scientific papers.

Juha Teperi is a prolific author of scientific papers exploring social and healthcare services and health policy. He has previously worked at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health and the National Institute for Health and Welfare.

Liina-Kaisa Tynkkynen studies healthcare and social policy and specialises in the reform of service systems and the marketing of social and healthcare services. Liina-Kaisa takes active part in societal debate and has been listed among the top 100 influencers in the Tampere region by the newspaper Aamulehti and among the top 100 health sector influencers by Mediauutiset.

Tapio Visakorpi serves as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology. In this role, he has participated in the discussions and preparations ahead of the Finnish social and healthcare reform especially from the perspective of education and RDI activities. His background is in cancer research.