The event series takes place in the city center campus.
The discussion begins with a short introduction to the topic by the guest expert or the host, after which the remaining time is reserved for open discussion. You don’t need to be an expert on the topic; the discussion group is also a chance to learn more about it. We hope it will serve as a space where participants can explore new ways of learning together that are not based on academic competition or performance. The event is open to anyone interested in sustainability, and we aim to foster learning from and with each other in a supportive and relaxed atmosphere.
There's always tea and coffee available!
The HELSUS Sustainability Discussion group series will continue in fall 2026.
Are you an early-career researcher looking for opportunities to present your research and share your expertise with others interested in your topic in a relaxed setting? Contact
Or are you looking for something more traditional? Here’s another HELSUS event series where you can present your research:
15.6. Let’s imagine utopias
Welcome to a peer-support circle and a gym for your imagination.
This time the HELSUS Sustainability Discussion Group is a facilitated utopia circle, a space where participants collectively explore hopeful, alternative visions of the future. A utopia circle invites people to imagine what a more sustainable, just, and caring world could look like if we were free to re‑think current assumptions.
When? Monday 15.6. at 15-17
Where? Notice that the venue has changed: UH Main Building room 2069, Unioninkatu 34
To whom? Anyone who wants a moment to focus on something else than collapse and doom.
19.5. Movie night: Documentary screening of Rebellion for Future (2025) and discussion on activism
The next Sustainability Discussion Group meeting will focus on activism and the possible dilemmas of being both a researcher or expert and an activist at the same time. Participants will watch the documentary Rebellion for Future (2025) together, followed by a discussion on the film and the evening’s theme.
We will be joined in the discussion by HELSUS-affiliated doctoral researcher
Riku Löf is a Doctoral Researcher in European Area and Cultural Studies at the University of Helsinki. His research examines contemporary ecological struggles and the ideological and affective formations shaping responses to the climate crisis. His current work critically engages with emerging discourses such as “climate realism."
24.3. Sara Pyykölä: AI in Sustainability and Responsibility: Exploring Benefits and Challenges
The multi-faceted nature of AI - a driving force for meeting various UN SDG goals, motivation for the substantial increase in energy and component demand and a risky element for transparency and fairness - leaves many between two minds whether AI is ultimately good or bad for society and sustainability transformation. In this event, I'll present and discuss benefits and challenges of AI sustainability and responsibility from two viewpoints: from the shoes of an average layperson and an AI/ML developer. Whether you wanted to know what other AIs are there besides ChatGPT, needed an update on the latest statistics of AI energy consumption or craved a break from AI slop, you're welcome to discuss your AI questions!
Further or preparatory reading:
Bio: Sara Pyykölä is currently working towards a computer science PhD degree in the University of Helsinki, Finland. Her primary research focuses on multi-objective reinforcement learning with applications on smart mobility. Her other research interests include computer vision and green AI.
We are continuously developing the event series to match the community's needs! Please feel free to fill in a survey below to help us (you can just add a topic that interests you, if you wish)