Portrait exhibition highlights the stories of black academics at the University of Helsinki

The Scholar’s Portrait: Beyond the Pages is an exhibition that highlights the stories and experiences of Black academics at the University of Helsinki. Launched at Think Corner in February, the exhibition is open until 16th April during Helsinki Think Company’s office hours of Monday-Thursday 10:00-17:00.

Featuring portraits of 12 scholars from diverse disciplines—including sociology, public health, food and nutrition, and more—the exhibition offers a deeper look into their academic journeys and the realities of navigating the academic world as Black scholars in Finland.

Curated by , a doctoral student in the Faculty of Social Sciences and a photographer at STUDIOpeee, the exhibition blends visual artistry with oral storytelling. Each portrait is accompanied by a short audio narrative, allowing participants to share their personal stories in their own words. Through these intimate conversations, the exhibition explores identity, resilience, and the challenges and triumphs of pursuing academic excellence as a Black scholar.

The exhibition includes three researchers from the Faculty of Social Sciences: , and doctoral student .

The exhibition opened at Helsinki Think Company on 19th February, bringing together inspiring voices and powerful conversations about the role of Black scholars in Finnish academia.

A key focus of The Scholar’s Portrait: Beyond the Pages is to highlight the presence and excellence of Black academics while fostering a discourse on what it takes to reach the highest levels of scholarship. By preserving and sharing these personal experiences, the project not only celebrates the contributions of Black scholars but also ensures their voices are heard and documented for future generations.

Through striking portraits and compelling narratives, the exhibition powerfully reflects on the impact of identity on academic careers, inviting audiences to engage with the lived experiences behind the pages of research and publications.

This exhibition is more than a celebration—it’s a call to action—to uplift Black excellence, advocate for meaningful inclusion, and commit to lasting change.

The exhibition runs at Helsinki Think Company until April 16th during Helsinki Think Company’s office hours of Monday-Thursday 10:00-17:00. The address is: Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4, 2nd Floor, Helsinki Think Company Office.