Teaching award to Senior University Lecturer Leena Rantamäki-Lahtinen
The Teaching Award 2023 went to Senior University Lecturer Leena Rantamäki-Lahtinen for her exemplary teaching approach in support of student progress.
She is praised for promoting student wellbeing and inclusivity in the role of both teacher and supervisor. She supports student learning in many ways, is available to students when needed, treats them as individuals and helps them make choices at key points in their studies. Her teaching is easy to follow and she offers a great deal of material supporting learning. In this time when people meet each other less often and students may be left alone with their problems, Rantamäki-Lahtinen’s approach to teaching is all the more important.
Research award to Associate Professor Lassi Ahlvik
The Research Award 2023 was granted to Associate Professor Lassi Ahlvik, who in September received the European Research Council’s Starting Grant, intended for promising early-career researchers with leadership potential.
Considering Ahlvik’s career stage, his recent achievements are significant: he has received highly sought-after research funding, collaborated with partners in Finland and published in a highly important and topical field. His research, including the ERC-funded project ‘Green tax reform for a just climate transition’, addresses current social issues.
Influence award to Professor Emeritus Markku Ollikainen
The Influence Award 2023 was presented to Research Director Markku Ollikainen, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Economics, for his distinguished and long-term contributions as chair of the Finnish Climate Change Panel.
Ollikainen assumed the role of panel chair in 2014 and is set to relinquish it at the end of this year. He has significantly influenced Finnish climate policy, enabling the input of scientists. As panel chair, he has collaborated actively and open-mindedly with a wide range of stakeholders. Ollikainen is also a widely featured guest, commentator and contributor in the media, seminars and other events.