Sessions Thursday 21.8.2025

Joni Turunen, Spinverse Oy
At 10:30-10:45
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

A demo of what a modern funding and partner search tool looks like and how it can be used in project preparation. The demo will show how to search for and find different funding options, as well as how to identify suitable partners for projects. In addition, the presentation will explain how to search for existing projects. This search function increases understanding of what kinds of projects have already been carried out.

Maija Mustaniemi-Laakso, Katja Kahlina, Hanna Honkanen & Thomas Nyholm, Åbo Akademi University
At 10:45-11:30
The workshop will be held in English
Duration 45 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

As pre-award services are expanding at Finnish universities, many are facing challenges with attracting researchers to make efficient use of the support forms that are available for them. Researchers might not attend offered info sessions or might not use efficiently available services around external funding. This workshop invites peers to discuss on best practices to engage researchers.

Kaisa Adair, Turku University of Applied Sciences
At 11:30-11:50
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

Universities of Applied Sciences face challenges in pre-award skills development among their staff. The ENCARE project (funded by Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships for higher education) aims to increase the capacity of research office staff and researchers of Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) to develop and write EU-funded projects successfully. The ICER-Pro training program was developed in the ENCARE project to train researchers and research support staff in universities of applied sciences. Learners’ needs were analysed, and thereafter the learning program was planned, structured and piloted. Now two additional implementation rounds, free of charge and open for interested participants are planned.

Sanna Uusitalo, Kirsi Ojutkangas & Elina Rossi, University of Oulu
At 11:50-12:10
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

At the University of Oulu, we have started to enhance our impact planner with an interactive chat bot. This tool is designed in “Microsoft CoPilot Studio” to guide researchers in creating impact sections for Horizon Europe proposals. We aim to streamline the proposal preparation process and ensure that our researchers can effectively articulate the impact of their work. We will share insights gained and discuss the opportunities and challenges encountered while working with the Azure platform, which serves as the foundation for Copilot Studio. We will explore the potential future enhancements for the chat bot, such as incorporating advanced AI capabilities to provide more context-aware guidance.

Timo Taskinen & Kirsi-Maria Hytonen, University of Jyväskylä
At 12:10-12:30
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

At the University of Jyväskylä (JYU), the Research Professional tool has been used to map and find research funding opportunities. Additionally, the Research and Innovation Services have had the Spinbase tool, which helps identify funding opportunities based on the needs of individual researchers. In the fall of 2024, JYU purchased a license for the Pivot-RP tool for its staff and simultaneously began addressing questions related to data security. The software provider, Clarivate, offers the service of creating researcher profiles in the Pivot-RP tool based on publicly available information. Public information is collected from both Clarivate’s own Web of Science publication database and JYU’s Converis-based research information system. In this presentation, we will go through the Pivot-RP tool and the opportunities it brings for mapping research funding on an individual researcher basis. Additionally, we will consider the tool’s AI capabilities and functionality, as well as making the tool accessible to every researcher.

Helena Jäntti & Saija Miina, University of Eastern Finland
At 13:30-13:50
The discussion table will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

Nearly all Finnish universities and half of universities of applied sciences belong to European
University Alliances. University of Eastern Finland has been part of the Young Universities for the
Future of Europe (YUFE) alliance since 2019. The main focus in YUFE has been on developing the
education and quality of operations. However, recently the aim of developing research and innovation
collaboration has strengthened. This is likely to become even more important during the next
framework programme (FP10).

The aim of this workshop is to gain ideas for building eƯective research collaboration and to explore
funding sources for cooperation within university alliances. As a basis for discussion, we present
YUFE’s experiences, including both top-down initiated collaborations and networks formed from
researchers’ own initiatives. EƯective collaboration has been created, for example, in the
YUFE4Postdoc project (MSCA COFUND) as well as in the BioYUFE and LingYUFE networks. We also
open up the challenges that have been encountered in building cooperation, in this special case when
partners have already been predefined in the work plan of the alliance at the proposal stage.

Rachel Mangan, Clarivate
At 13:50-14:10
The presentation is in English
Duration 20 minutes
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

Web of Science Research Intelligence™ is a transformational new AI-native software solution that will empower researchers to accelerate innovation and research institutions to better measure and demonstrate impact. Clarivate data assets are combined with intelligent metrics and conversational interaction to deliver a next generation research intelligence solution.

Tapani Kemppainen, KPMG Oy Ab
At 14:10-14:30
The presentation will be Bilingual (Material in English, spoken in Finnish)
Duration 20 minutes
Location: Konetalo, K1704 auditorium

Artificial intelligence has become a part of our daily lives, and its applications and potential uses are being actively explored across various industries. Discussions often focus on large language models, which have already become familiar tools for many. But what if AI could also act independently, learn, and make proactive decisions—freeing up time for expert work?

In this presentation, we delve into the fascinating world of AI agents. We begin by clarifying what AI agents—or agentic AI—are and how they differ from traditional AI applications. We also explore, through practical examples, how AI agents can be utilized in the daily operations of research services.

The aim of this presentation is to spark discussion, inspire new ideas and insights into how AI—particularly in the form of AI agents—can be leveraged to enhance the efficiency and impact of research services now and in the future.

Riikka Sarasjärvi, University of Helsinki
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo, K1702 auditorium

This presentation addresses the management of European Research Council (ERC) grants and the associated challenges. It reviews the results of a survey conducted among recently completed ERC projects at the University of Helsinki, exploring their experiences with grant management. The aim of the survey was to identify ways to improve post-award support for ERC projects and to gather tips for future applicants. The presentation also examines how professional project management affects researchers’ experiences and what kind of support they seek.

Anu Kettunen, Petteri Karjalainen & Aksel Salonen, University of Jyväskylä
The workshop will be held in Finnish
Duration 40 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo, K1702 auditorium

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic in workplace discussions and headlines. AI is seen as a transformative force, and in research services, it may help enhance project management, reporting, and communication. This workshop explores AI’s potential in the work of research implementation experts, as well as its risks and pitfalls. Participants will share their experiences and identify best practices through group discussions and other interactive methods. The goal is to discover innovative solutions that improve research project management and impact.

Heidi Wirkkala & Veera Koskinen, University of Helsinki
The workshop will be held in Finnish
Duration 60 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo, K1702 auditorium

This workshop addresses social media communication for research projects. The discussion focuses on whether each project needs its own social media accounts, who is responsible for the project’s social media communication, and what other channels could be used for communication. The goal is to gather insights from experts working with research projects on social media communication and compile the best practices for everyone to use.

Tiina Vihma-Purovaara, Ministry of Education and Culture
At 10:30-10:50
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo, RG202

The purpose of the presentation is to share information about the implementation of the recommendations of the Working Group for Responsible International Cooperation in Higher Education and Research. This includes common dialogue, communication, cross-sector cooperation, and regular sharing of best practices and information, which enables the identification and addressing of threats and risks. The Ministry of Education and Culture actively participates in national, Nordic, and European networks that deal with responsible international cooperation and research security. The presentation highlights the ministry’s activities at the national and EU levels, as well as global cooperation. 

Material: 

Recommendations of the Working Group for Responsible International Cooperation: Recommendations of the Working Group for Responsible International Cooperation in Higher Education and Research were published – Ministry of Education and Culture 

Council’s recommendations on research security: Council adopts a recommendation to enhance research security – Consilium 

Olli Suominen, Embassy of Finland, Beijing Petri Koikkalainen, Embassy of Finland, Washington Riina Subra, Aalto University Heli Hautala, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
At 10:50-11:40
The workshop will be held in English
Duration 50 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo, RG202

In recent years, great power competition, often called a new Cold War, has shaped international relations. China’s rise to challenge U.S. global leadership, alongside Russia’s war in Ukraine, has intensified tensions, especially after the White House administration change in January 2025. This rivalry is evident in the science and research sector, with China investing heavily to become a superpower in these fields. The U.S. has responded with trade and science policies to counter China. This dynamic affects research collaboration globally, pressuring third countries to choose sides. The upcoming session will explore these impacts on European and Finnish research sectors.

Santtu Lehtinen, VTT
At 11:40-12:00
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 2o min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo, RG202

The presentation opens up the Finnish research sector’s perceptions of ‘scientific espionage’ directed at research organizations. The presentation is based on the preliminary results of a master’s thesis being conducted at the University of Jyväskylä. The aim of the work was to investigate the views and experiences of various actors in the research sector regarding research security and its national management model, specifically from the perspective of threats and risks related to scientific espionage.

Paavo Kosonen, University of Turku & Kaisa Still, University of Oulu
At 10:30-11:20
The workshop will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 50 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo K1703

Impactful research requires collaboration with the business sector, and many funding instruments emphasize this. Join us to learn how to engage companies in collaboration, how both researchers and companies benefit from it, and how to create long-term partnerships.

In the workshop, we will focus on how universities can make collaboration more significant and attractive to companies. We will present best practices and successful collaboration models based on company interviews conducted in early 2025. After that, we will discuss together what experts can do during project preparation.

Key questions include identifying suitable partners, defining mutual benefits and common goals, and building effective partnerships. The workshop offers an opportunity to hear about good practices from companies, network, exchange ideas, and develop new approaches. Join us and participate in the discussion!

Anna Kosonen, University of Tampere
At 11:20-12:00
The workshop will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 40 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo K1703

SHAPE sciences can help: 

• Address complex societal issues like climate change and its impact on business strategy. 

• Understand AI’s effects on work practices, organization, leadership, and interaction. 

• Enhance companies’ competitiveness through customer-centricity and understanding. 

New approaches and bold initiatives are needed for SHAPE sciences to engage in business collaboration. Higher education institutions must lead this change. In the interactive roundtable, participants will brainstorm and share effective ideas. Join us to share proven methods and collaboratively come up with new approaches!

Eeva Viinikka, Spinverse Oy
At 12:00-12:15
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo K1703

Building a consortium starts with analysing the call text: what kind of partners are needed so that all the required RDI (Research, Development and Innovation) and results can be produced, and what constraints and limitations need to be considered. Assembling the consortium itself is like a puzzle, where all the pieces must fit together. The presentation provides tips on how to plan this work and how to avoid the most common pitfalls.

Johanna Moisio, Research and Innovation Council
The presentation will be held bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo K1703

The Research and Innovation Council (RIC) is an advisory body led by the Prime Minister. It develops research and innovation policy that supports well-being and education, as well as economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable growth and competitiveness.

General Secretary Johanna Moisio will present the PSF (Policy Support Facility) evaluation conducted in cooperation with the European Commission during 2024–2025. The evaluation examined barriers to RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) collaboration between businesses and research organizations and identified areas for development, supported by concrete recommendations.

Ilkka Kurkela, Laurea University of Applied Sciences
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Konetalo K1703

Collaboration between higher education institutions and businesses is crucial for work-oriented education and skill development. This can include internships, theses, guest lectures, joint projects, and project-based learning, which helps students apply their knowledge practically.

However, the institutional structures and long-term impacts of such collaborations are less studied. This presentation explores how universities organize and manage business collaborations, identifies risks and challenges, and proposes sustainable partnership models.

Based on ongoing doctoral research in Europe, the study includes interviews with university experts. It focuses on strategies for creating long-term partnerships that support both learning and long-term impact, and addresses challenges and management of business collaborations.

Seliina Päällysaho & Taru Mäki, SEAMK
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Konetalo K1703

The presentation examines operating models in projects where some of the partners come from the business world.

When planning a project, it is important to ensure that the project idea fits the company’s strategy and needs. Involving companies in the planning, open data and the results of previous projects are important starting points.

In implementing the project, it is essential to select the best experts and support the creation of confidential relationships. A data management plan and various agreements are also key elements. In addition, ownership and intellectual property rights must be clearly defined. Opening and commercializing the results and data and following good scientific practice are important steps.

At the end of the project, the results must be published openly. Opening the data and utilizing the results in teaching and learning materials disseminate information. The aftercare of the project ensures that the cooperation continues to be fruitful in the long term.

Tiina Käkelä & Tii Salminen, University of Helsinki
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

In 2022, the University of Helsinki established an Open Science Coordination Group to enhance university-wide collaboration in promoting open science. The group assessed the current state, developed policies, and coordinated development projects. It included researchers from all campuses and key support services. The presentation explores the group’s activities, achievements, and challenges, and reflects on its future. It also aims to spark discussion on organizing the coordination and leadership of responsible science.

Hannele Keckman-Koivuniemi, Tampere University/FSD
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

The Finnish Social Science Data Archive (Tietoarkisto) provides students, teachers, and researchers with free access to over 2,000 quantitative and qualitative datasets via the Aila data portal. While most datasets require registration, around 170 are openly available under a CC BY 4.0 license. Data is downloaded thousands of times annually by users from various disciplines and countries. The archive monitors usage responsibly and has published usage data from 2015–2020. This presentation shares updated insights into dataset usage, user groups, and the impact of archived data.

Laura Mure & Antti Rousi, Aalto University
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

Generative AI gained public awareness in the fall of 2022 and brought new ideas to research services. In the summer of 2024, Aalto University launched a pilot project using AI to create a privacy notice based on the data of the research Council of Finland’s data management plans. The goal is to develop smoother research data management processes in which the information would be entered into the system only once.

Katri Seitsonen, Aalto University & Juho Jussila, University of Eastern Finland
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

The number of open access publishing agreements has increased, but their terms vary widely. The Journal Search Tool, developed by SciFree, helps researchers and support staff determine whether a specific journal is covered by their institution’s agreement and under what conditions. In Finland, the tool is used by the University of Eastern Finland and Aalto University. The presentation discusses the tool’s features, implementation, updates, usage statistics, user feedback, and its potential to support diamond open access journals.

Heikki J. Koskinen, University of Helsinki
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RI207

The Publication Forum JUFO is the Finnish scientific community’s rating system for assessing the quality of research. However, it has also been used at individual and researcher level, which has led to the need for guidance on its responsible use. However, there is a contradiction between the accountability guidelines and the funding models in use. This creates a situation that is not a research ethical challenge for individual actors, but a fundamental systemic problem.

Mari Riipinen, CSC
The presentation will be Bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RI207

Responsible research assessment is crucial for research managers and administrators. The INORMS Research Evaluation Group developed the SCOPE framework to aid in planning and conducting responsible research evaluations. This presentation demonstrates how the SCOPE framework was used to evaluate the INVEST Flagship project. INVEST focuses on socioeconomic inequality, public health, and welfare state policies. This presentation will demonstrate the evaluation process and deliberate how we succeeded in using the SCOPE framework while assessing the entire existence of a research ecosystem.

Miki Kallio, University of Oulu & Markku Ihonen, Tampere University
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RI207

CoARA ExPECT is a joint project by the Universities of Oulu, Tampere, and Ruhr Bochum, promoting responsible research assessment. The project produces about 20 instructional videos covering assessment foundations, processes, evaluator guidelines, and criteria. These videos support CoARA’s vision of high-quality, impactful, and sustainable research.

Patrizia Hongisto, Lucie Hradecká & Katri Seitsonen, Aalto University
The discussion table will be held in English
Duration 15 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RN201

The discussion table explores the Open Science requirements and reporting framework set by Horizon Europe. The goal is to share experiences with reporting, identify practical challenges, and develop strategies for implementing Open Science practices. Participants can share their perspectives on the barriers and opportunities of Open Science reporting.

Henni Laitala & Eeva-Maria Suojärvi, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences – Xamk
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RN201

Higher education institutions and research organizations publish thousands of professional publications annually, such as books and reports. The peer review process for professional publications is not as established as it is for scientific publications. When developing peer review methods, the focus should be on the practical application of knowledge, with experts in the relevant field serving as reviewers. Closer national cooperation could improve the quality assurance and credibility of publications, and promote professional dialogue between different fields and organizations.

Juuso Marttila, University of Jyväskylä & Tomi Rosti, University of Eastern Finland
The workshop will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 60 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RN201

The National Archives requires universities to permanently preserve the background materials – including research data – of significant research. However, archiving has declined in the digital age. The workshop discusses the National Archives’ valuation guidelines and their application to research data and presents the University of Jyväskylä’s draft guidelines. The aim is to gather feedback and develop a nationally accepted guideline.

Maria Pietilä, Anni Tarkiainen,Heikki Laitinen & Katri Rintamäki, University of Eastern Finland
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

Researcher evaluation is being developed both in Finland and internationally, with open science being a key theme. Researchers have few incentives to open their research data or teaching materials, even though many funders and journals require openness. Universities provide infrastructure for researchers willing to embrace openness. The presentation examines universities’ opportunities to develop evaluation that acknowledges the merits of open science, based on two EU projects: YUFERING and GraspOS. In the YUFERING project, researchers saw potential in highlighting openness as part of researcher narratives, but the challenge is that open science is perceived as an external demand. In the GraspOS project’s pilot study, open science was seen as a means to strengthen the university’s societal impact.

Marita Kari, Federation of Finnish Learned Societies & Susanna Nykyri, Tampere University
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

The Research Funders’ Open Science Practices tool will be published in fall 2025. It encourages funders to develop practices promoting openness in four themes: openness of research publications, data and methods, societal impact of research, and funders’ own transparency. The tool provides different levels of goals and supports national monitoring.

Laura Niemi, University of Turku & Susanna Nykyri, Tampere University
The presentation will be Bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH216

In open science evaluation, guidance, policies and structures shape the daily practices of researchers and institutions. The 2022 CoARA agreement promotes reform in research assessment, yet institutional evaluation remains underdeveloped. In Finland, the AVOTT monitoring model offers quantitative indicators but faces challenges such as a lack of qualitative assessment and weak alignment with the reference architecture. Future development should incorporate principles of responsible evaluation, including qualitative elements and strategic goals.

Anne Hytönen, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences
At 10:30-10:50
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

Communication is an increasingly important part of a researcher’s and developer’s work, but it is also the backbone of research services. Publications, articles, and other popular science communication serve the principles of open science. Through communication, quality work is done, and responsible and impactful actions are taken. Various information management tasks and data collection indicators are also related to communication. In this presentation these dimensions of science communication are examined as part of project and research service work. Finally, the activities of the Science Communicators’ Network are introduced: as a result of our network’s work, we gain visibility for science communication also at the Research Services Days.

Vesa Varpula, Säde-Tuulia Laukka & Anna Oravakangas, Research Council of Finland
At 10:50-11:10
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

The Research Council of Finland is the main provider of competitive research funding in Finland. With the increase in funding, expectations for the impact of research funding and research have grown. The Academy has increased the production and publication of information related to research and research funding. The Academy aims to continue developing impact communication. To provide the most comprehensive overview possible, collaboration is needed.

Jonna Paavilainen & Milla Ikonen, University of Turku
At 11:10-11:30
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

The Strategic Research Council (SRC) programs fund high-quality research that addresses significant societal challenges. These programs emphasize close collaboration between researchers and knowledge users, strengthening the dialogue between research and decision-making. The SRC’s DEMOGRAPHY program provides insights into population development issues and solutions, such as changes in birth rates and the impacts of immigration. The program has set common impact goals and developed methods to achieve them, enhancing interaction between research and society.

Riikka Wallin, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
At 11:30-11:50
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

How can an organization support researchers and experts in making their work visible through audiovisual content: podcasts and videos? In this presentation, participants will learn about the support Metropolia offers to its staff, which includes its own publication channel and its editorial process, podcast workshops, an expert video challenge, and digital studio services.

Laura Säilä-Corfe & Samuli Siltanen, University of Helsinki
At 11:50-12:10
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

People are increasingly seeking information from social media channels rather than traditional publishing platforms and print media. A particularly popular format on many platforms (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok) is the short video, which provides a concise and engaging briefing on any topic. In this presentation, we will explain how we at the University of Helsinki teach and inspire researchers to master the short video format and utilize it in research communication.

Igor Radun, University of Helsinki
At 12:10-12:30
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Festia FA032 Pieni Sali 1

At the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, many universities, including those in Finland, left Twitter/X or stopped posting on it. Based on the available data, the reasons Finnish universities made such decisions seem to be the increased unpredictability of the platform, declining visibility and impact, and ethical issues, particularly concerning the deteriorating discussion climate. These and other reasons are discussed using the example of the University of Helsinki’s press release announcing their decision to leave Twitter/X.

Jonni Karlsson & Ilmari Jauhiainen, Federation of Finnish Learned Societies
Pauliina Lehtonen, Tampere University
Paula Havaste, Heureka
Inka Stormi, Häme University of Applied Sciences
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PB136 Cincinnati

Citizen science, science communication, and science education all relate to the interaction between science and society. The 2024 Science Barometer shows that Finns’ trust in science is strong, but the number of skeptics is growing. How is science communication and education conducted in citizen science, and how can research support services aid this? What kind of collaboration can organizations from different fields undertake to strengthen the interaction between science and various audiences? What does this mean in a changing world?

Martti Komulainen, Turku University of Applied Sciences
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PB136 Cincinnati

The discussion table will provide background on the goals and significance of RDI impact communication and share experiences of effective RDI communication through various case examples. The aim is to find effective communication methods and channels to promote the impact of research. Turku University of Applied Sciences will present the Talk package at the discussion table, which includes a publication family (journal, themed issues, reports, learning materials, podcasts) as well as interactive and participatory Talk events. Additionally, we will provide examples of successful media communication that highlights research results.

Sirpa Saariaho, Tanja Sarlin & Saija Tarro, University of Turku
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Päärakennus PB136 Cincinnati

Communication in research projects is an art form of its own! Communication is needed at all stages of the project, from the application phase to the project’s completion. It includes both internal communication related to project management and communication about the progress of the research and its results. The tools, communication styles, and channels used vary according to needs. The goal of this discussion is to share experiences and best practices in project communication and to provide concrete tools and methods that support science communication at the organizational level and in research projects.

Inka Stormi, Jaana Siljamäki & Senja Sakko, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK)
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PB136 Cincinnati

Communicating research is an essential part of the research process. The goals of communication can include sharing information, influencing, engaging, or involving. There are also various places and methods for communication. Join us to discuss best practices and experiences in making communication and publishing support visible and its significance understood within the science and research communities.

Reetta Kettunen, Committee for Public Information
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Päärakennus PC108 Ich Cha Puram

Interactive science communication is a key part of responsible research and innovation activities. But what does science communication actually mean? Who is it for, how is it done – and why? Science communication ranges from scientific publishing to multidisciplinary expert discussions, science advising, science education, and popularization. This discussion examines these forms and considers the role of research services and communication support functions in developing researchers’ skills and enhancing the impact of science.

Iiris Koivulehto, Finnish Academy of Science and Letters
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in English
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PC108 Ich Cha Puram

Participants will explore two practical tools developed by the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters: science sparring and knowledge synthesis. The session will unpack the strengths and limitations of these tools and reflect on their potential in strengthening the impact of research alongside more well-known communication concepts such as seminars and policy briefs. We’ll also graze the overall current state of knowledge brokering in Finland—what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s next. Through group discussions, participants are invited to share their experiences, challenge assumptions, and explore the evolving role of research communication professionals.

Hanna Ylli, Tampere University of Applied Sciences Anna Aatinen & Elina Kirvesniemi,Tampere University
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PC108 Ich Cha Puram

Communication and research services traditionally work very independently in universities, even though both have the common goal of supporting research and researchers. Currently, communication finds it difficult to obtain information from research services about research projects for planning and implementing communication. Practices for information sharing are also lacking. Through closer collaboration, it would be possible to achieve more impactful, better planned, and anticipated science communication. Ultimately, we aim to build a common concept for closer cooperation between communication and research services.

Riikka Wallin & Hanna Timonen, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences
This section is part of a 60-minute session with several discussion tables
The discussion table will be Bilingual: material in Finnish, spoken in English
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Päärakennus PC108 Ich Cha Puram

In this discussion table, experiences are shared and ideas are gathered on how research services staff can support researchers and experts in communicating their own research and development work. The purpose of the discussion table is to collect good practices and ideas for everyone’s use. The discussion and the material collected in it will be used in an openly published article.

Oona Myllyntaus, Finnish National Board on Research Integrity (TENK)
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Päärakennus PC110 Ulan Bator

The purpose of the conference presentation is to introduce the LYTE project, its background, objectives, and current results. The presentation particularly examines the formation of ethical principles for research on nature and the environment and researchers’ views on considering nature and the environment as part of responsible research. The main objectives of the LYTE project are to develop ethical practices, strengthen ethical discussions, and support researchers in identifying and reducing environmental harm caused by research. The draft guidelines produced by the project are on official consultation in research organizations and key stakeholders in autumn 2025. These guidelines will complement existing legislation in guiding research on nature and the environment.

Riikka Palonkorpi, The University of the Arts Helsinki & Annukka Jyrämä, Aalto University
This workshop will be held in Finnish
Duration 60 min
Level “Experienced only” (requiring a considerable amount of previous knowledge)
Location: Päärakennus PC110 Ulan Bator

Artistic research falls under TENK’s guidelines The ethical principles of research with human participants and ethical review in the human sciences in Finland. The unique characteristics of artistic research bring new challenges and perspectives to ethical review. The presentation examines specific issues that arise in the ethical review of artistic research in relation to typical solutions in more traditional qualitative research. In artistic research, the role of the researcher is often linked to being an artist, teacher, or co-creation of art and research. Identifying the role and responsibilities of the researcher can be difficult. The presentation discusses the unique features of artistic research and practical solutions found in university review processes for even the most challenging research settings.

Anne Nieminen, Turku University of Applied Sciences
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Päärakennus PC110 Ulan Bator

Many funders require the consideration of equality and non-discrimination in project work and planning. Considering the equality perspective is challenging for many, as Finland is accustomed to a so-called gender-neutral approach. Bringing gender into focus can feel unfamiliar and difficult. Ignoring gender is gender blindness, which can reinforce and reproduce gender roles in the project instead of dismantling them. In projects aimed at developing work life, the gender perspective is particularly important. Artificial intelligence is an emerging theme, and it should be noted that it is not neutral, and discriminatory data produces discriminatory outcomes. Considering equality improves the quality and results of the project, as it is better designed with the target group in mind.

Perttu Heino, Markus Aho & Antti Pelto-Huikko, TAMK
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RD203

The development project of the Applied Research Center (ARC) at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) aims to renew the culture of research, development, and innovation activities (TKIO) at the university and improve effectiveness. The goal of the development project is also to strengthen TAMK’s project preparation staff, in collaboration with TAMK’s Project Management Office (PMO), with a focus on expertise and experience in demanding international project applications. The aim is to significantly increase the number of high-quality, extensive, and multidisciplinary national and international project applications.

Kaisu Paasio & Marja Paajanen, Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RD203

In the university of applied sciences sector, the volumes and investments in RDI activities have significantly increased in recent years. We present the ongoing RDI profiling at Haaga-Helia and bring the topic into the discussion among RDI professionals. Our presentation takes a methodological approach, broadly considering the elements that influence RDI activities and credibility in the operations of a university of applied sciences. Additionally, we open a hermeneutic discussion that evaluates quantitative and qualitative indicators when drawing the RDI profile.

Tamara Bar-Magen, Ulrika Backman, Marjo Kilpijärvi, Karoliina Koho & Aku Heinonen, Geological Survey of Finland (GTK)
The presentation will be held in English
Duration 20 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RD203

In 2019, the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) centralized its research management support by establishing a dedicated Research Management Office. Prior to this, research support was fragmented across various units, such as operations and finance. Since its establishment, the office has grown into a team of five professionals, aiming to streamline research support and enhance institutional capacity. This presentation highlights the key developments observed at GTK over the past five years, following the establishment of the Research Management Office.

Johanna Kolhinen, University of Helsinki
The presentation will be held in Finnish
Duration 20 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RD203

The role of research administration and services is a key factor in the success of universities. The way the university community talks about research management has undergone significant changes, especially after the amendment of the university law. The importance of high-quality research activities has been recognized as a prerequisite for research quality, and at the same time, awareness of the elements of research management has increased. At the University of Helsinki, enhancing the capabilities of research management and strategic thinking has been set as a central goal. This presentation discusses how the strategic development of research administration and services can promote a strong and successful research culture.

Leena Köppä Tampere University & Maria Maunula, University of Turku
The discussion table will be Bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH201

This discussion table aims to delve into the driving forces behind the work of research support professionals, exploring the significance and meaningfulness of our roles. The discussion will highlight the unique human elements that AI cannot replicate, such as the ability to support researchers in different situations or adapt face-to-face workshops to dynamic human interactions. As a way of working together participants will collectively gather their views and experiences on why they do this work and what drives them.

Seija Oikarinen, Tiina Avomaa, Harri Nurmi & Javier Arevalo, University of Helsinki
The discussion table will be held in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH201

How can a research support professional utilize generative AI in their work, and can experiences be shared among colleagues? In 2024, the Research Management Support Unit established a joint skills development project to adopt AI tools as an aid in expert work. In our project, we have decided to hold workshops that provide time and opportunities for peer learning, experimentation, and collective reflection. The shift from tool-based thinking to need-based thinking is important to truly consider how AI tools could be used in our work. Conducting exercises related to one’s own work awakens and gives courage to use the tools, as well as provides ideas on what could be done with AI.

Jenni Virtanen, Hanna Piironen & Renne Vantola, National Land Survey of Finland
Annika Harlio, ProAgria
The discussion table will be Bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “Intermediate” (knowledge development)
Location: Rakennustalo RH201

Memory-work is a social scientific method that involves sharing memories within a group to theorize a studied phenomenon. The underlying idea is that memories are social: The participants of the group share similar lived experiences, such as working in a similar RMA position. We invite you to our discussion table to explore the potential of memory-work in the development of research support services: Could it work for you? How could you use it? What could be the benefits? (What) would you like to know more about the method?

Leena Sulkanen-Rodriguez, Tampere University
Presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH201

A few years ago, the Research Council of Finland terminated the postdoctoral funding instrument. This instrument allowed new doctoral researchers to apply for larger funding for their research immediately after their dissertation. Now, researchers must accumulate research experience for two years before being eligible to apply for Academy Research Fellow funding. This “two-year restriction” has increased the number of applicants seeking funding from various foundations. I will present the support measures we have had here at Tampere University for these young postdocs share other good practices, and consider how we can better assist these early-stage researchers. In this session, we could share good practices and think about how we can better help these junior researchers.

Taina Tuori & Katja Ritari, University of Helsinki
The presentation will be bilingual: material in English, spoken in Finnish
Duration 15 min
Level “New to Topic” (no prior knowledge required)
Location: Rakennustalo RH201

Helsinki University’s Research Funding Services have organized a course for young researchers on writing funding applications for several years. These courses serve as tools for improving researchers’ skills and developing the general culture of applying for funding. In this way, they also support the work of research support professionals by raising the skill level of researchers.

In this presentation, experts from the Research Council of Finland will discuss frequently asked questions about preparing applications and project management, promoting and monitoring the impact of projects, and how to support and communicate the impact of research. Additionally, the presentation will cover impact reporting.

Poster creators available to meet during Research Service Days:

Thursday 21.8.2025 At 14:30-15:00
Tampere University, Hervanta campus
Main building 1st floor

Friday 22.8.2025 At 9:00-9:30
Tampere University, City centre campus
Main building, ballroom lobby, 2nd floor

Theme 1) Pre-award

Timo Hartikainen, University of Helsinki

There are masters of short story in the fiction literature. This poster discusses style and content found in the works of Jorge Luis Borges (1899 – 1986). Funders of research often require a summary of a research proposal. Storytelling is a skill necessary for a well-sustained researcher career. RMAs can help researchers discover and develop this skill. Borges routinely uses a résumé or a commentary of imaginary books and other longer texts. This is analogous to research proposals. Borges gives us an example of a narrative, structured backwards in time, which is directly applicable to presenting the purpose, elements, and work in a research proposals.

Theme 1) Pre-award

Kirsi-Maria Hytönen, University of Jyväskylä

Finding and sparring postdoctoral researchers for the MSCA-PF call is challenging. These young applicants still need support in understanding the funder’s guidelines and in writing their applications. In the application templates applicants need to know what to write and where. For research advisors, the funding process is time-consuming. In 2024, we at University of Jyväskylä decided to expand our master class to an international scale and to introduce modules. In 2024, we doubled the number of funded MSCA PFs. In this poster, the new MSCA-PF Master Class its modules are presented.

Theme 6) Sustainable and Open Science

Anni Tarkiainen, Heikki Laitinen & Katri Rintamäki, University of Eastern Finland

GraspOS (Next Generation Research Assessment to Promote Open Science) EU project is developing infrastructure for a responsible research assessment system that considers open science. University of Eastern Finland’s (UEF) pilot study examined the societal activities of UEF and their significance in impact assessment. A hybrid indicator model was developed, combining UEF-CRIS and VIRTA data. The model evaluates interaction activities using star ratings. Interviews with UEF leadership highlighted views on societal impact and open science monitoring. The poster presents the model’s potential in demonstrating open science and societal interaction.

Theme 7) Versatile science communication

Anne Hytönen, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences XAMK

At its core, science communication is communication about science, including research, results, impact, and innovation. Science communication practices have evolved from one-way communication from researchers to an audience to more interactive communication. For researchers, this requires them to reach more audiences with different communication activities. This poster will present a more comprehensive way of understanding communication activities through the funnel model of science communication, as well as how to plan, choose, execute and evaluate these actions.

Theme 7) Versatile science communication

Heli Kauppinen & Anne Hytönen, South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences XAMK

At South-Eastern Finland University of Applied Sciences, communication for research and development projects is primarily handled by experts such as project managers or RDI specialists. The RDI staff receives assistance and support for project communication. Communication specialists provide training, coaching, and develop guidelines for various communication situations (for example, adhering to the Xamk brand or updating websites). To support the dissemination of good practices, the RDI Communication Officers Network was established in spring 2021. It includes several RDI communication officers from each area of expertise, who handle communication alongside their other duties.

Theme 7) Versatile science communication

Reetta Kettunen, Committee for Public Information & Oula Silvennoinen, University of Helsinki

Harassment and pressure on researchers and experts are growing problems that threaten the freedom of science and societal discussion. The recommendations of the Committee for Public Information provide concrete guidelines for researchers, science organizations, and policymakers, emphasizing the importance of freedom of speech and safety. Harassment in the age of social media can be random or organized, including targeting, threats, or misuse of legal processes. The Committee presents three key recommendations: establishing a national support organization, equal occupational safety for all researchers, and incorporating science communication and protection methods into researcher training. The main message is clear: no one should be left alone. We need shared responsibility, training, clear action models, and communal support.

Theme 7) Versatile science communication

Henriikka Mustajoki, Committee for Public Information

This poster presents current ethical issues in the everyday practice of science communication. The material is based on the Ethical Guidelines for Science Communication project by the Committee for Public Information, where communication experts from research organizations have examined their everyday choices. Themes identified include the limits of openness, protection of research subjects, the division of roles between researchers and communicators, and making ethical considerations visible within the organization. The poster also offers an opportunity for participation. It includes a short fictional case study that addresses the roles of the communicator, researcher, and organization, risk management, and the impact of communication, along with related ethical questions.

Theme 7) Versatile science communication

Riikka Wallin, Metropolia University of Applied Sciences

Metropolia University of Applied Sciences has been publishing podcasts since 2020. In their own podcast channel, MetroPodia, they were published from 2020 to 2024. Starting in 2025, the podcasts will appear in Metropolia’s new online media, Metrospective. With this renewal, podcast series will be better highlighted as complete entities, receive permanent URN identifiers, and be licensed under an open CC license. 

Podcasts in Metrospective: https://metrospektiivi.metropolia.fi/en/podcasts 

Theme 12) Future of the RDI profession and competence

Walter Rydman & Antti Mäki, CSC – IT Center for Science

The AITO framework (AI in innovation, research, and education) produced by CSC is a tool that helps to understand the impact of AI development on the core tasks of higher education institutions. It has emerged from discussions held at various forums and events, and it provides a structure for examining and understanding the changes brought about by AI in research, education, collaboration, partnerships, and support services. The poster presents the AITO framework and the related training concept.