METEOR Academy at JYU
Overview of Programme
JYU METEOR Academy was held from 19th to 23rd January, 2026. Each day was a combination of plenary sessions and peer mentoring group work. Activities included collaborative development of Transformative Research and Innovation Proposals (TRIPs) within the PMGs, participation in panel discussions, engagement in various interactive workshops, as well as different networking opportunities.
Here are the highlights of the Academy days:
Day 1: Introducing METEOR and Peer Mentoring Groups (PMG)
Participants spent an intensive afternoon becoming familiar with the objectives of the METEOR programme, getting acquainted with each other through ice-breaking activities, and connecting with their PMG members. In addition to meeting peers from different disciplines, participants had the opportunity to engage with coordinators and mentors, and asked questions about the METEOR programme. Socialisation and relationship-building continued informally after the day programme ended.
Videos of the presentations:
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Presentation 1: Introduction to the METEOR Academy programme — purpose, expected outcomes, and working methods by Jan Bazyli Klakla (CASE)
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Presentation 2: Introduction to Peer Mentoring Groups — purpose, format, and expectations by Terhi Nokkala (JYU)
Day 2: Introducing TRIPs and Idea Generation
The second day began with an online plenary presentation on TRIPs delivered by the METEOR coordinator. Participants were introduced to the concept of transformative research as an approach that addresses complex societal challenges through transdisciplinary collaboration. This was followed by a panel discussion in which experienced researchers shared their insights on international collaboration, openly discussing both the rewards and uncertainties of working across research cultures. After lunch, participants received guidance on the TRIP template, and the PMGs then began developing their proposals, supported by mentors assigned to two groups each. The day concluded with a casual yet educational session, combining reception for informal networking and experiential learning at methodology workshop. Participants worked collaboratively to solve a creative challenge and presented their outcomes using arts-based formats such as drama and posters.
Videos of the online presentations and panel discussion:
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Online presentation: What is a Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation Proposal (TRIPs)? By Peter Gray (CASE)
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Panel discussion 1: Working collaboratively on international research proposals. Discussants: Johanna Pöysä-Tarhonen (JYU), Jan Bazyli Klakla (CASE), Gökhan Kaya (HU), Taina Saarinen (JYU), and Peter Gray (CASE), Hosted by Terhi Nokkala (JYU)
Day 3: Identifying Problems and Develop Career Readiness
The third day began with continued work in the Peer Mentoring Groups (PMGs), supported by the mentors. This was followed by a guided campus tour led by professional guides from JYU. The afternoon programme focused on career and skills development within the higher education context. The plenary session consisted of a career workshop and a panel discussion on transversal skills. The workshop invited participants to reflect on their human, social, cultural, and psychological resources in relation to career development. The subsequent panel featured researchers at different career stages, who shared their experiences of skills development, career progression, and strategies for managing academic challenges, including different types of pressure.
Panel discussion 2: Transversal skills development in higher education. Discussants: Johanna Annala (JYU), Bahadır Altıntas (KU), Josephine Moate (JYU), Patti Nijhuis (JYU), and Iain Moore (JYU)
Day 4: Transformative Research —Teamwork and Impact Communication
The fourth day focused primarily on group work. In the morning session, participants explored communication, dissemination, and exploitation (CDE) related to research impact through another creative workshop. The PMGs created self-published booklets (zines) to articulate their project contributions and identify target audiences. In the afternoon, the PMGs worked intensively to prepare their TRIP presentations. The day concluded with a social dinner featuring local cuisine, providing an opportunity for networking and community building among participants.
Day 5: Next Steps and Evaluation
The final day focused on evaluation, presentation of outcomes, and the next steps for the PMGs. The programme featured a METEOR Expo organised in a rotating exhibition format, where groups alternated between presenting their TRIPs and visiting other groups. This interactive format enabled more focused dialogue and peer feedback compared to traditional sequential plenary presentations. Following the expo, the Academy host outlined future timeline of the METEOR programme. The day concluded with a plenary evaluation session, providing an open forum for participants to share reflections and feedback on the JYU METEOR Academy.
