The Steering Group for Sustainable Development

The Steering Group for Sustainable Development at The University of Turku develops, monitors and evaluates the sustainable development activities of the University in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and promotes the realisation of the principles of sustainable development in the practical activities of the University.

    The task of the Steering Group is to develop the activities related to sustainable development in teaching, research, and social interaction as well as strengthen the University´s role and recognition as a pioneer in sustainable development.

    The Chair of the Steering Group for 2024-2025 is Vice Rector Mika Hannula. The coordinator is Sustainable Development Specialist Jutta Mäkinen and the secretary Development Specialist Petteri Siika-Aho.

    The members of the Steering Group

    Members of the Steering Group:

    • University Teacher Terhi Heino, Faculty of Medicine
    • Student Saimi Herlevi, the Student Union of the University of Turku
    • Director Juha Kaskinen, Turku School of Economics
    • Assistant Professor  Elina Kilpi-Jakonen, Faculty of Social Sciences and INVEST flagship
    • Professor Jukka Käyhkö, Faculty of Science
    • Professor Mikko-Jussi Laakso, Faculty of Science
    • Professor Jan Löfström, Faculty of Education
    • ​Communications Director Anne Paasi
    • Senior Research Fellow Sari Puustinen, Turku School of Economics
    • Assistant Professor Mikko Rajavuori, Faculty of Law
    • University Lecturer ​Katriina Siivonen, Turku School of Economics
    • Professor Taina Syrjämaa, Faculty of Humanities
    • Professor llari Sääksjärvi, Faculty of Science
    • Professor Satu Teerikangas, Turku School of Economics
    • Assistant Professor MikkoTikkanen, Faculty of Technology
    • Professor of Practice Jorma Turunen​, Faculty of Technology
    • ​Collegium Fellow Elina Valovirta, Faculty of Humanities
    • Head of Campus Services Anna Vuolle, Facility Services
    • Director of Partnerships and Strategic Engagement​ Leena Wahlfors
    Working Group for Sustainable Campus Life

    The University of Turku is committed to advancing an organisational culture focused on sustainability. The Steering Group for Sustainablility has set up a working group to plan and coordinate sustainable everyday actions for the University. The task of the Working Group for Sustainable Campus Life is to plan and propose everyday actions informed by the principles of sustainability, as well as to coordinate their implementation. In order to reach these goals, the group will devise clear action plans and indicators. 

    The Chair of the Working Group for Sustainable Campus Life is Anna Vuolle, Head of Campus Services. The coordinator ​​of the Group is Jutta Mäkinen, Sustainable Development Specialist.

    Members of the Working Group:

    • Miikka Kairinen, IT Service Manager, Development Services
    • Jutta Hasko, Project Engineer, Financial Services and Facility Services
    • Teija Hurmerinta, Head of Supply, Financial Services and Facility Services​
    • Anne Jackson, HR Specialist, Faculty of Medicine
    • Larissa Niemi, Doctoral Student, Turku School of Economics
    • Eveliina Pakula, Senior Laboratory Technician, Molecular Plant Biology
    • Aila Saari, Research Technician, Central Animal Laboratory
    Working Group for Education of Sustainable Development

    The University of Turku educates future experts of sustainable world and has committed in the Policy Programme of its Strategy to offer the students more opportunities to complete different types of studies on sustainable development.

    The Chair of the Steering Group is Professor Jukka Käyhkö and the Vice Chair is Senior Research Fellow Sari Puustinen​​. The Coordinator is Sustainable Development Specialist Jutta Mäkinen.

    Members of the Working Group:

    • University Teacher Terhi Heino, Faculty of Medicine
    • Project coordinator Iina Hautala, Educational Affairs
    • Professor Jaakko Järvi, Faculty of Science
    • Senior Advisor Hanna Lagström, Faculty of Medicine
    • Research Manager Otto Latva, Faculty of Humanities
    • Coordinator Pasi Nurmi, Faculty of Science
    • University Teacher, Elina Raitanen, Faculty of law
    • University Lecturer, Irene Prix, Faculty of Social Sciences
    • Director of Educational Affairs Petri Sjöblom, Educational Affairs
    • Professor Satu Teerikangas, Turku School of Economics
    • Assistant Professor Mikko Tikkanen, Faculty of Science
    • University Lecturer Timo Vuorisalo, Faculty of Science
    • University Lecturer Eija Yli-Panula, Faculty of Education
    Working Group for Carbon Neutrality

    The University of Turku is committed to become carbon neutral by the end of 2025. To achive this goal, the Steering Group has set up a working group to estimate the carbon footprint of the University´s properties and activities, the measures needed to decrease these, and the possibilities of compensating for the CO2 emissions.

    The Chair of the Working Group is Vice Rector Kalle-Antti Suominen and the Vice Chair Head of Supply Teija Hurmerinta. The Coordinators are Sustainable Development Specialist Jutta Mäkinen and Development Specialist Petteri Siika-Aho.

    Members of the Working Group:

    • Project Engineer Jutta Hasko, Financial Services and Facility Services​
    • Departmental Coordinator Sanna Huttunen, Biodiversity Unit of the University of Turku 
    • Human Resources Specialist Anne Jackson, Faculty of Medicine
    • Head of Unit Pauliina Karjalainen, Spac​​e Planning/Property and Facility Management
    • Professor Toni Laaksonen​, Faculty of Sciences
    • Sustainability Specialist Ari-Pekka Lassila, University Properties of Finland Ltd
    • Head of Campus Services Anna Vuolle, ​​Financial Services and Facility Services
    • Corporate Social Responsibility Manager Erkki Oikarinen, Turku Technology Properties
    • Project Manager Sanna Vähämiko, Brahea Centre