Speakers

Tapio Visakorpi started as the Vice Rector for Research at Tampere University at the beginning of 2022. Before his appointment, he served as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology and previously as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Biosciences. Since 2002, he has worked as a Professor of Cancer Genetics at the University of Tampere. Visakorpi is a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and has also been actively involved in national and international research infrastructures and research funding trust positions.

Joni Kämäräinen is a Professor of Signal Processing at Computing Sciences department at Tampere University  where he is part of the Vision Group. Kämäräinen did his post-doc in Center of Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, University of Surrey, with Josef Kittler. After his post-doc he spent five years in the Faculty of the LUT School of Engineering Science, LUT University, after which he was selected to the current tenure-track position in 2012 (tenured 2017 and promoted to full professor 2020).

His main research interests are computer vision, image processing and machine learning. Kämäräinen is broadly interested about computer vision problems and recently his attention has moved toward robot vision and machine learning for robotics. He is involved in many applied research projects where he collaborate with the local industry.

More information Vision Group: research.tuni.fi/vision.

Viivi Villa-Nuottajärvi is an experienced research, development, and innovation leader with a demonstrated history of heading technology development in the process technology industries.

In her current position as Vice President, Research and Development, she is accountable for all R&D across Valmet, continuing to develop Valmet’s R&D&I strategy and driving its execution.

Jouni Markkanen is responsible for information and technology policy for the National Coalition Party. He has over ten years of experience in promoting digitalization in political decision-making and has played a key role in the parliamentary information policy working group since 2019. Jouni is an advocate for the potential of artificial intelligence, particularly in the development of public services, and has been involved in drafting the national handbook on AI for decision-makers.

Ari Sivula serves as the Vice President of Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK). He holds a docent position in Industrial Management at the University of Vaasa, specializing in data-driven innovations. Sivula has extensive experience in various expert, leadership, and supervisory roles in both the public and private sectors. His RDI background includes areas such as industrial management, innovation processes, and the utilization of data in business development and decision-making support.

Ari Sivula moderates the panel discussion.

Jaana Backman worked for nearly 35 years in various positions related to research services and administration at the University of Kuopio and later at the University of Eastern Finland. She began her career already in 1990. She led research services for over twenty years before transitioning to EU advocacy roles. She served, among other positions, as Chair of Finn-ARMA (2012–2018), as Finland’s representative on the INORMS steering committee (2014–2018), as a member of the NUAS Research and Innovation Group (2010–2019), on the EARMA Board (2018–2020), and participated in several EU networks during her time in EU advocacy. 

Soile Haverinen is the Head of Research Services of the University of Turku, responsible for pre- and post-award services along with broader research development initiatives. Her journey in this field began in 1993 when she worked on developing a research funding opportunities database for researchers. This effort eventually led to the creation of the Aurora database, a widely used national funding resource in Finland. Her long standing experience spans both national and international research funding as well as other research management issues, eg. she has been involved with EU Framework Programmes since FP3. Haverinen is an ardent believer in national and international collaboration in and co-development of RMA topics.

Sirkka-Liisa Korppi-Tommola studied chemistry at the University of Helsinki and she holds Doctor of Philosophy (Chem.) degree at the Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. After moving to Jyväskylä she was working at the beginning as a researcher at the Department of Chemistry. In 1986 she started as an Industrial Liaison Officer following the recommendation of the group of the professors lead by Rector Martti Takala. The duties of the Liaison Officer increased soon to the development of research services, innovation services, international research funding and finally to the evaluation of research. The title changed first to Research Liaison Officer and finally to Head of Research. In 2015 when she retired the office of Research and Innovation Services occupied research funding advisors, lawyers, IPR advisors and research assessment specialists. 

Leila Risteli (M.D., Ph.D., former Director of Research and Innovation Services of the University of Oulu) was recruited in 1994 to work as research liaison officer at the University of Oulu. Finland was going to join the European Union and the organisation was facing new challenges with the large RTD projects of the EU. Leila’s background of biochemical and medical research with technology transfer and a postdoc period in Central Europe was considered suitable. The research service unit grew mostly on the basis of project related funding, and it finally had a wide spectrum of responsibilities including research projects, research funding, agreements and contracts, technology transfer, interaction with enterprises and regional authorities, as well as coordination of science policies and graduate research training. Leila also had several national and international expert assignments related to research, until she in 2011 returned to medicine and became director of the laboratory of Oulu University Hospital. 

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. Leading specialists Jussi Alho from the Ministry of Education and Culture and Antti Pelkonen from the Prime Minister’s Office work in the council’s secretariat. Currently, the council’s work emphasizes: Implementation of the R&D Funding Act and the multiannual plan for R&D funding, Strategic choices related to RDI (Research, Development, and Innovation) activities, and monitoring and evaluation of R&D funding. The council’s secretariat also supports the work of the parliamentary RDI monitoring group. 

Trent Pancy is an American creative professional, storyteller, and educator who has called Finland home since 2010. With a background that spans stage, screen, and strategy, Trent blends over 20 years of international experience in performance, communication, and content creation. He holds an MA in Screenwriting, along with dual BAs in International Media and Theatre Arts.

A lifelong storyteller, Trent has performed and taught and workshops on storytelling and comedy around the world. His diverse career includes acting, screenwriting, and leading communication workshops for global companies. Trent’s approach to storytelling fuses narrative structure with intercultural awareness – empowering professionals from all fields to communicate more effectively. Whether through writing, public speaking, or performance, Trent’s work centers on one mission: helping people tell better stories.

The event will be hosted by Tampere University’s very own Raúl Berlanga. Raúl works at Tampere University as a co-creation expert and as an entrepreneurship coach at HUBS, the sustainable entrepreneurship team of Tampere Universities. Raúl is an experienced host, who also regularly conducts workshops for students and researchers on how to create an impactful pitch. Whether hosting events, workshops, or just sitting around the office with colleagues, Raúl always brings a dash of humor with him.