Members of the Board of the University of Eastern Finland for the term 2022–2025 have been elected. The University Collegiate Body confirmed the elected internal staff and student members in a meeting held on 12 November. The external members were selected by the University Collegiate Body in May.
The Board of the University of Eastern Finland is composed of ten members, four of whom are external, and they broadly represent the various sectors of society.
Professor Maria Lähteenmäki and Professor Ursula Schwab were elected as new members and representatives of the staff in the Board, and current board members Information Specialist Tomi Rosti and University Lecturer Erkki Pesonen were elected for another term. Aleksi Kinnunen and Miska Tanskanen were elected as representatives of the students.
The new external members are Genelec CEO Siamäk Naghian and Inklusiiv community founder Katja Toropainen. From among the current external members, Executive Director of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies Lea Ryynänen-Karjalainen and CEO of the Public Sector Pension Provider Keva Jaakko Kiander were elected for another term.
Maria Lähteenmäki, PhD, is Professor of History specialising in Arctic and transnational border region research, political history, gender studies, and environmental humanities. Ursula Schwab, PhD, is Professor of Nutrition Therapy and head of the university's nutrition curriculum. Her work also includes clinical responsibilities at Kuopio University Hospital.
Tomi Rosti, MA, works as an Information Specialist and as a Team Leader for research support at the University of Eastern Finland Library. He is the chair of the Staff Association of the University of Eastern Finland, and a deputy chief shop steward. Erkki Pesonen, PhD, works in teaching and research roles in the School of Computing, and he is also the Deputy Head of the School. He is one of the pilot teachers involved in the university's project to develop the flipped classroom, and a recipient of the Excellent Teaching Practitioner Award.
Miska Tanskanen, BA, majors in literature and minors in philosophy and sociology of art. Aleksi Kinnunen is pursuing a Master’s degree in business studies, majoring in international business and sales management. They both have diverse experience in elected positions within the Student Union and subject associations.
Siamäk Naghian, Doctor of Science (Technology), is CEO of the Iisalmi-based, internationally renowned sound system manufacturer Genelec. Naghian was born in Iran and he emphasises the importance of scientific knowledge as a foundation for Genelec’s success. Katja Toropainen, Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration), is the leader of the Inklusiiv community, which highlights the importance of diversity as a success factor. Inklusiiv produces various events, projects and content, and provides consultancy services and training. Earlier, Toropainen has worked as Chief Curator of the technology and growth enterprise event Slush.
Lea Ryynänen-Karjalainen, DMus, is the Executive Director of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies and a board member in the Finnish Science Centre Foundation. Jaakko Kiander, DSocSc, has been the CEO of the Public Sector Pension Provider Keva since October 2021. Before that, he worked as Research Director at the Finnish Centre for Pensions.
For further information, please contact:
Tero Karjalainen, Chair of University Collegiate Body, University of Eastern Finland, tero.karjalainen (a) uef.fi, tel. +358 40 355 2121
Mikko Laitinen, Deputy Chair of University Collegiate Body, University of Eastern Finland, mikko.laitinen (a) uef.fi, tel. +358 50 441 2389
