Professors of practice always work part time (typically 20–50%) in addition to their regular duties. The goal is for professors of practice to strengthen the University’s community relations and visibility.
The position of professor of practice is filled by invitation. Since the position is not based on academic merit, no assessment procedure will be used in the appointment process. Professors of practice are not considered to be professorial staff.
More information on professors of practice is available through the
The Faculty of Law has invited LLD Markku Fredman to serve as a part-time professor of practice in Advocacy law for a fixed term of three years 1.8.2023-31.7.2026.
Jukka Jokinen, Docent, PhD, has had a long career at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) and its predecessor, the National Public Health Institute (KTL), particularly in scholarly and managerial positions related to vaccine research. As of the beginning of 2021, Jokinen has worked in a strategic role as the leading researcher at THL’s Department of Information Services directly under the director of information services, with responsibility for the Finnish coronavirus vaccination certificate project commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health.
The Faculty of Science has invited Jukka Jokinen to serve as professor of practice in statistics for a fixed term of five years from 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2026.
Docent Timo Kaisanlahti, LLD, M.Sc. (Econ), works as the chief legal counsel of the Varma Mutual Pension Insurance Company. He holds a doctorate in law and works as a docent of law and economics at the University of Eastern Finland.
The Faculty of Law has invited Timo Kaisanlahti to the part-time position of professor of practice in financial statements law commencing until 31.12.2027.
The Faculty of Pharmacy has invited Risto Kanerva to serve as a part-time professor of practice in Pharmaceutical Service Management and Preparedness for a fixed term of five years from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028.
D.Sc. Kaisa Karttunen is a nationally and internationally distinguished researcher of food safety and global food systems, a civil servant and a science policy influencer at both the administrative and social interaction levels. Karttunen has extensive work experience in organizations relevant to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, such as the UN's FAO, as an adviser to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, as an advisor at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in various international projects.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry has invited Kaisa Karttunen to the position of part-time of professor of practice in Global and national food security for a term of two years 1 October 2023 - 30 September 2025 and continuation term for 1 October 2025 - 31 May 2026.
PhD, docent Kirsti Korkka-Niemi is a leading researcher in the field of applied hydrogeology in Finland. She works as an assistant research professor at the Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).
The Faculty of Science has invited Kirsti Korkka-Niemi to the position of professor of practice in applied hydrogeology for a fixed term of five years from 1 April 2023 onward.
The Faculty of Pharmacy has invited PhD, docent Mikko Koskinen to serve as a part-time professor of practice in Drug Development for a fixed term of three years from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2026.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry has invited D.Sc. (Tech.) Matti Kuronen to serve as a part-time (50 %) professor of practice in Business and innovations in sustainable construction for a fixed term of two years from 1 February 2025 onwards.
Mikko Kuusela, PhD, has worked in a variety of actuarial positions of high responsibility for more than 15 years in both the private and public sectors. As of 2021, Kuusela has been the director of pensions and a member of the management team at Finance Finland. Kuusela completed his doctoral thesis in applied mathematics at the University of Helsinki in 2004. In addition, he completed the actuary qualification approved by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health (‘SHV’) in 2007 and the CBM (Certified Board Member) training programme of the Central Chamber of Commerce of Finland in 2020. Kuusela has participated actively in insurance-sector training and its development. He also has significant international expertise and experience, having served, for example, on the OECD Working Party on Private Pensions and worked in a development project focused on the Zambian pension scheme.
The Faculty of Science has invited Mikko Kuusela to serve as a part-time (35%) professor of practice in actuarial mathematics for an initial, fixed term of three years from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2024 and for en extention period from 1 January 2025 to 31 December 2027.
The Faculty of Science has invited D.Sc. (Tech.) Mikko Lilja to serve as a part-time (20 %) professor of practice in medical imaging and inverse problems for fixed term of three years from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2028.
The Faculty of Science has invited D.Soc.Sc. Heidi Muurinen to a part-time (50 %) position of professorship of practice in social work for a fixed term from 15 January 2026 to 14 January 2031.
The Faculty of Science has invited PhD Mari Myllymäki to serve as a part-time (20 %) professor of practice in environment statistics for fixed term of three years from 1 September 2025 to 31 August 2028.
Hanna Nieminen-Finne is an administrative court judge, Doctor of Law and Doctor of Social Sciences. She has an extensive experience in administrative court duties. He works at the Vaasa Administrative Court as an administrative court judge and he has also worked as a advisor at the National Courts Administration. Nieminen-Finne's experience in administrative law appeals and court administration, combined with her publishing activities, show that she has a remarkably broad knowledge of public law. Nieminen-Finne is an alumnus of Vaasa's legal education and a solid supporter.
The Faculty of Law has invited him to the part-time position of professor of practice in law for a fixed term of five years from 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2028.
The position of professor of practice in law is funded by various parties, like City of Vaasa, Regional Council of Ostrobothnia, Korsholm Municipality and six private foundations.
Docent Petri Peltonen, DPhil, is an expert in economic geology and mineralogy. Peltonen works as the managing director of Aurora Exploration, a Finnish company specialised in ore exploration. He has extensive experience in both research in geology and mineralogy, as well as in the industry.
The Faculty of Science has invited Petri Peltonen to the position of professor of practice in economic geology commencing until 31 December 2025.
The Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry has invited PhD, docent Pekka Ripatti to the part-time (20 %) position of professor of practice in energy economics initially for fixed term of three years from 1 January 2026 till 31 December 2028.
During his long career at the Finnish Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (STUK), Teemu Siiskonen, PhD, has served in several positions, including as head of laboratory and senior scientist. Since 2019, Siiskonen has also held the position of deputy director at STUK’s Department of Environmental Radiation Surveillance. He is also a visiting scientist and project leader at the Helsinki Institute of Physics (HIP). During his professional and research career, Siiskonen has served in a number of significant national and international positions as an expert member.
The Faculty of Science has invited Teemu Siiskonen to a part-time (20%) professorship of practice in the field of radiation dosimetry and interaction mechanisms for a fixed term of five years from 1 August 2022 to 31 July 2027.
The Faculty of Law has invited Doctor of Law, Doctor of Social Sciences Ida Sulin to the part-time (20%) position of professor of practice in Public Law commencing until 31.12.2025.
The Faculty of Science has invited D.Sc. Matti Vainio to a part-time professorship of practice in Green Transition for a fixed term of three years from 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2027.
The Faculty of Science has invited D.Soc.Sc. Minna Veistilä to a part-time (50 %) position of professorship of practice in social work for a fixed term from 1 March 2025 to 31 December 2029.