Outstanding contributions of JYU community members are recognised at the University’s 2026 Annual Celebration

The Good Teacher Award was presented to Senior Lecturer Panu Halme from the Department of Biological and Environmental Science based on the proposals by students and the Student Union. 

Students find Halme to be an inspiring teacher who encourages them to strive for a better world. Passionate about his work, Halme sets an example by combining an academic career with active social engagement. He offers students valuable working life skills and unique experiences, such as a course trip to Brussels to learn about environmental policy. Halme welcomes feedback and uses it to improve his teaching. 

The Developer of Teaching Award was given to University Teacher Minna Ylilahti from the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy. 

Minna Ylilahti has been actively involved in developing pedagogical work in multifaceted ways. She encourages her colleagues to engage in team teaching and collaborate across fields of study. She plays a key role in establishing channels of cooperation between staff and students, supporting student wellbeing, and developing and implementing portfolio work. Her work in curriculum and master’s seminar design as well as in the coordination of pedagogical development is determined, principled and innovative.

The Good Leadership Award was granted to Programme Manager Satu Vuori from the Open University.

According to her colleagues, Satu Vuori prioritises the wellbeing of her team members and their shared success. She treats everyone equally and explains her decisions openly. This fosters a sense of fairness and prevents conflicts. She ensures that the team has clear goals and encourages them to achieve results by fostering enthusiasm and innovation. She ensures the development and sharing of expertise between colleagues while encouraging people to embrace new challenges. She also actively promotes the expertise of her team members for the benefit of the entire unit and the University.

Assistants Marjut Hilska and Satu Kosonen  from the HR Services of University Services received the Community Builder Award 2026. 

Their collaborative approach has strengthened community spirit within the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, enabling the two colleagues to share their expertise more widely.

With her friendly manner, Marjut Hilska promotes the wellbeing of staff, students, and visitors. The events she organises combine workplace community building, recreation, culture and physical activity. She acts as host for international visitors to the Accelerator Laboratory, creating a positive first impression of its operations.

Satu Kosonen creates a fun atmosphere in her working community and helps promote the joy of learning. She also does outstanding work to build a strong sense of community, such as the weekly SuomiPerjantai – Finnish Friday newsletter for faculty staff.

The Good Dissertation Award was granted to Doctor of Health Sciences Päivi Herranen from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences.

In her gerontology and public health dissertation, Päivi Herranen developed a new genetic indicator for the combined effect of over a million gene modifications on an individual’s muscle strength. The study revealed that a genetic makeup that supports better muscle strength is associated with a higher functional capacity, a lower risk of developing common diseases and a longer life expectancy. Leisure-time physical activity is particularly important for maintaining muscle strength in individuals with a genetic predisposition to weak muscles. Such research increases our knowledge of the genetic structure of healthy ageing.

The Scientific Breakthrough Award was granted to Professor Tuure Tuunanen from the Faculty of Information Technology.

The research methods Tuunanen has developed have led to a scientific breakthrough and promoted the development of interdisciplinary research. Constructive research combines a theory-focused social science research approach to technological design and development work. The methodological approach of Tuunanen and his research team has also been adopted by other scientific fields, an influence evidenced by the over 15,000 citations they have received. Between 2024 and 2025, Tuunanen and his colleagues published more than fifty scientific reports and presentations on the topic.

The Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Corporate Collaboration Award was given to Professor Tommi Mikkonen at the Faculty of Information Technology.

Tommi Mikkonen’s sustained efforts have facilitated the transfer of new software engineering technologies from the research stage to commercial use, which has strengthened the University’s position as a national and international partner. Under his leadership, collaborations with the business world have increased in quantity as well as quality, with the level of Business Finland funding in particular rising significantly. Mikkonen has demonstrated an open-minded approach to initiating new research and innovation themes. A notable example of this is the rapid and successful development of quantum programming research.

The Science Communication Award was granted to Professor Teiko Heinosaari from the Faculty of Information Technology.

Teiko Heinosaari communicates science in imaginative ways, making quantum technology research understandable to the public. He does this through his online courses, such as “The ABCs of Quantum Computing”, and by publishing articles and appearing on podcasts. He has also devised and organised Quantum Afternoon Tea events, which make research more accessible to the everyday lives of local people. Theoretical quantum physics is a challenging subject, so sharing information on it in an accessible and engaging way is particularly commendable. Heinosaari’s high-level research activities and large research group provide an excellent basis for science communication.

The Societal Impact Award was granted to Professor of Practice Leena Paaskoski from the Department of History and Ethnology.

During her term as a professor of practice, Leena Paaskoski developed a museology teaching approach to meet the future needs of the museum and cultural heritage sector. Her idea for a monthly online event called Museology Afternoon Coffee brought together over 900 museum professionals, researchers and students. With the help of her networks, Paaskoski secured funding for a professorship in museology. The associate professor, recruited with the help of donations from foundations and associations, provides education in the field, from the basic studies required by the Museums Act up to doctoral level. This ensures high-quality, innovative research in museology while constructing a network to support the development and international interaction of the entire discipline.

The purpose of the Ellen and Artturi Nyyssönen Foundation is to promote research at the University of Jyväskylä. Ellen and Artturi Nyyssösen Foundation’s Young Researcher Award 2026 was given to Teea Kortetmäki, assistant professor of sustainability transitions.

Teea Kortetmäki is a social scientist and philosopher who specialises in sustainability sciences. Her multidisciplinary research themes include just transition, climate policy, sustainable food systems, food system transitions, environmental ethics, sustainability philosophy, and planetary well-being. 

Kortetmäki received prestigious ERC funding for her research project, which focuses on developing environmental landscape ethics, a relatively new area of environmental ethics. She is also leading a project, funded by the Kone Foundation, that seeks to examine the links between the sustainability transition and the concept of sustainable well-being.