Each year, the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences awards one person from among the faculty staff who has been actively involved in social impact work. Vice Dean, Professor Atte Korhola announced the Faculty's 2023 Influencer of the Year at the Oktoberfest stakeholder event on 31 October 2024.
Anna-Liisa Laine was awarded for her active participation in social interaction. She has done outstanding work to promote biodiversity. She has also communicated her research and the importance of natural capital, developed business cooperation and education, and taken a strong stance in the public debate. He was selected by Anna magazine as one of the Bold Pioneers 2023, a testament to his reputation as a scientist.
- This is a great honour for me personally and for the Finnish Centre for Ecological Change, where we have worked hard to uncover the changes in Finland's nature," says Laine.
- By international standards, ecology is Finland's strongest discipline and it has been great to see that there is a growing demand for ecological knowledge in both the public and private sectors. Stopping the loss of nature requires active dialogue between different actors. Biodiversity research is currently progressing at a tremendous pace and it has been very motivating to see that we are increasingly finding the will to put this knowledge into practice. I believe that Finland has all the prerequisites to be a pioneer in the fight against biodiversity loss, when old ideas and practices are reviewed in the light of new knowledge.
- This work would not be possible without funding and I am hugely grateful to both domestic and international donors who have made research on biodiversity change possible. The dissemination of this knowledge has required the efforts of many different actors," concludes Laine.
The winner of the award was selected by the Social Interaction and Communication Group of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. The selection criteria for the 2023 Influencer of the Year Award were as follows:
A faculty member who is:
- An engaging and active influencer/discussant in social and/or traditional media
- A meritorious contributor to the visibility and dissemination of his/her discipline or research in society
- has made a significant contribution to societal decision-making
- actively involved in business cooperation or entrepreneurship development for the benefit of the faculty
- made a significant contribution to the faculty's fundraising activities
- has made new contributions to society.