METEOR Academy at JYU : Transformative Research through Peer Mentoring and Collaborations
An International and Interdisciplinary Learning Community
The METEOR Academy 1 at JYU welcomed 39 participants, representing a wide range of disciplinary backgrounds and regions. Participants were organised into eight Peer Mentoring Groups (PMGs), the central working format of the Academy. These groups were designed to foster sustained collaboration, mutual learning, and peer support beyond institutional and disciplinary boundaries.
The programme was supported by a team comprised of mentors and experts from JYU and METEOR partnering institutions. Their combined expertise shaped a rich programme of plenary sessions, workshops, panels, and group-based activities throughout the week.
Check on the video links for the presentations and panel discussion on Day 1-3 to get a taste of the METEOR Academy!
Day 1 - Setting the Scene: METEOR and Peer Mentoring Groups (PMG)
The METEOR Academy opened with a warm welcome and an introduction to the METEOR Academy’s goals, structure, and expected outcomes. Participants were introduced to the Peer Mentoring Group (PMG) model, a central element of the programme designed to support sustained collaboration and learning among researchers from different countries and discipline.
In the afternoon, the participants met their peers in the PMGs face to face, and began to build rapport within their groups.
METEOR PMG at JYU
METEOR Introduction by: Jan Bazyli Klakla (left) and Terhi Nokkala (right)
Videos of the presentations on Day 1:
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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 the presentation on Transdisciplinary Research and Innovation Proposals (TRIPs). Participants were introduced to transformative research as an approach to addressing complex societal challenges through collaboration across disciplines and sectors.
This was followed by a panel discussion on international research collaboration, where experienced researchers openly discussed opportunities, challenges, and uncertainties involved in cross‑border research work. Guided by these insights, participants were introduced to the TRIP template and began generating project ideas within their PMGs, supported closely by mentors.
The day concluded with a combined networking reception and creative methodology workshop, where participants experimented with arts‑based approaches such as drama and poster creation to solve collaborative challenges—highlighting alternative ways of thinking about research methods and teamwork.
Methodology workshop with Emma Kostiainen (left) and Auli Lehtinen (right)
Creative presentations by the METEORers
Videos of the online presentations and panel discussion on Day 2:
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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) (Bottom right), Jan Bazyli Klakla (CASE) (Bottom Left), Gökhan Kaya (HU) (Upper right), Taina Saarinen (JYU) (Upper left), and Peter Gray (CASE), Hosted by Terhi Nokkala (JYU)
Day 3: Identifying Problems and Career Development
Our METEOR participants continued with PMG work on Day 3. After that, participants took part in a guided tour of the JYU campus, offering insight into the university environment and fostering informal exchanges.
The afternoon programme centred on career readiness and transversal skills. A workshop based on theGraduate Capital Model encouraged participants to reflect on their human, social, cultural, and psychological resources in relation to career development. This was followed by a panel discussion where researchers at different career stages shared personal experiences of skills development, career progression,
Snowy JYU campus tour
Minni Makikainen holding the Career workshop and exploring the Graduate Capital Model (Tomlinsen, 2017) with participants.
Videos of the panel discussion on Day 3:
- Panel discussion 2: Transversal skills development in higher education. Discussants: Johanna Annala (JYU) (Upper right), Bahadır Altıntas (KU) (Upper left), Josephine Moate (JYU) (Middle right), Patti Nijhuis (JYU) (Bottom left), and Iain Moore (JYU) (Bottom right=.
Day 4: Teamwork, Communication and Research Impact
The fourth day focused on communicating research impact and advancing teamwork within the PMGs. During a creative workshop on communication and dissemination, participants developed self‑published zines to articulate the purpose, audiences, and potential impact of their TRIPs.
The afternoon was dedicated to intensive PMG preparation for final TRIP presentations. The day concluded with a social dinner featuring local cuisine, providing a relaxed setting for networking and community building among participants and mentors
Our devoted METEORers and their creative zines developed in one morning
Social dinner at Hotel Alba - Enjoying a lovely night after days of intense work!
Day 5: METEOR Expo and Evaluation
The final day brought reflection and celebration of the week’s work. Participants took part in the METEOR Expo, a rotating exhibition format where PMGs alternated between presenting their TRIPs and visiting other groups.
METEOR Expo - All the PMGs sharing the TRIPs idea with one another
The Academy concluded with a plenary evaluation session and an outline of the next steps of the METEOR activities. After the METEOR Academy 1, the participants would continue with the amazing work and learning with their PMGs online this year. The groups are expected to meet again face-to-face in 2027 in the METEOR Academy 2.
It was a pleasure for the JYU METEOR Team to hold the METEOR Academy 1. We wish the METEOR participants all the best, and carry on with their great work!
Thank you again for all our wonderful speakers and mentors for sharing of their insights and valuable experiences! We are also grateful for the assistance from Ms Ella Pitkäranta, Ms Eevi Pulkkinen and Mr Mohd Zaid, as well as the support from Ms Eeva Harjula from JYU.WELL for METEOR activities!
