Volcanoes in Finland, surely not?
Elina Lehtonen has become a familiar face from, among other things, TV news and book fairs, and as a columnist for the Yliopisto magazine. Lehtonen and Jussi S. Heinonen’s book Suomen muinaiset tulivuoret (‘Ancient volcanoes of Finland’) was Gaudeamus’ best-selling non-fiction book last year. Lehtonen has written science poems and organised a related workshop for the University community. She is currently working on a non-fiction book on Anna Hietanen, the first woman to attain a doctoral degree in geology in Finland.
However, her primary duties at the University relate to the FluxBEATS doctoral training network. Its activities can be followed, for example, on the network website and LinkedIn.
In 2016 Lehtonen completed her doctoral thesis on the evolution of the oldest volcanic rocks in the bedrock in Finland.
“The topic was so interesting that I wanted to share it with others. As a doctoral researcher, I worked at Luomus, the Finnish Museum of Natural History, which was an inspiring and encouraging place to conduct science communication,” Lehtonen says. At Luomus, she also organised volcano workshops for children.
While Lehtonen completed minor studies in science communication as part of her doctoral degree, she has enjoyed writing since childhood.
Building a term bank for the arts and sciences
The popularisation of research is part of the University’s third core duty alongside research and teaching, to which Lehtonen urges everyone to contribute any way they see fit.
“One good option is to add the central concepts of your research to the Helsinki Term Bank for the Arts and Sciences,” Lehtonen says.
The Helsinki Term Bank for the Arts and Sciences is a shared, open and continually updated terminology database for the academic community and the public in all fields of research represented in Finland. The project is carried out collaboratively by volunteers and researchers from all over the country. Lehtonen coordinates the topic of geology.
Small steps are enough to get started.
“For me, the ‘Vihreäkiven arvoitus’ blog was a kind of sandbox where I had the chance to play and experiment without any pressure. You gradually get used to being in the public eye too,” she notes.
Follow Elina Lehtonen in Instagram: @kirjaimellisiakuperkeikkoja and blog.