SusTra – Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot

SusTra is an interdisciplinary and solution-oriented doctoral school where research focuses on a wide variety of sustainability themes, such as planetary well-being, behaviors and lifestyles, and governance and policy.

Solution-oriented sustainability research

SusTra produces knowledge and understanding for the aim of creating a sustainable and just society that supports planetary well-being. SusTra's research is solution-oriented, combining perspectives across disciplines and ways of knowing. The pilot equips doctoral researchers with multidisciplinary competencies that enable them to effectively and professionally provide leadership in the evolving arenas of sustainability transformations. An integral part of SusTra is fostering a strong connection to relevant professional networks during the doctoral research project, for example, through the support of work-life mentors for each doctoral researcher.

Research themes

SusTra brings together perspectives related to:

Education for sustainability, planetary wisdom and future competencies
Sustainable business and working life
Leadership and management in societal change
Cultural transformation and social imagination
Policies, legal systems and means of regulation
Planetary health and well-being
Civil society and democratic development

There are six SusTra doctoral researchers at the University of Jyväskylä and JYU.Wisdom. They are affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Jyväskylä University School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Education and Psychology, and Faculty of Mathematics and Science.

The SusTra pilot involves 11 organizations. It is led by the University of Eastern Finland, and the other participants are:

Aalto University
University of Helsinki
University of Jyväskylä
University of Lapland
LUT University
University of Oulu
Tampere University
University of Turku
University of Vaasa
Finnish Environment Institute (Syke)

The pilot will train in total 40 doctoral researchers in Finland during the years 2025–2027. The Ministry of Education and Culture, together with the Research Council of Finland, has granted 10.2 million euros to the SusTra doctoral education pilot.

SusTra Doctoral Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä

SusTra doctoral researcher are spread across many faculties.

Felix Dade
Doctoral researcher
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Doctoral Programme of the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy

I am a doctoral researcher in the field of Development Studies focusing on non-state actors in the energy transition in Africa. I analyse spaces available for their participation in energy policies at all levels. Additionally, I investigate identities and subjectivities (re)produced between civil society organizations and citizens in localized energy transition initiatives. My project connects the theme of "civil society and democratic development" under the Sustainability Transformations doctoral pilot.

Doctoral Research topic

"Civil societies strategies for the governance of just energy transition : Views from Africa"

Keywords: energy transitions, civil society organizations, Sub-Saharan Africa, energy citizenship, energy justice

Supervisors:

Tiina Kontinen (JYU)
Irmeli Mustalahti (UEF)

Worklife mentor(s):

Jussi Viding (Nordic Development Fund)
Niko Humalisto (Suomen Lähetysseura)

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Katri Jurvakainen
Doctoral researcher
Faculty of Education and Psychology
Doctoral Programme in Education

Katri Jurvakainen is a doctoral researcher whose work examines the mechanisms through which capitalism is reproduced within educational systems, as well as the possibilities for envisioning and enacting alternatives beyond it. Her research seeks to integrate critical perspectives on power relations into debates on the ecological crisis, highlighting how structures of domination shape both educational practices and responses to environmental challenges.

Doctoral Research topic

“The hidden abode of subjectivity production: The role of desire cultivation in reproducing and resisting capitalist relations”

Keywords: operaismo, biocapitalism, desire, Lacan, Buddhism

Supervisors:

Hannu L.T. Heikkinen (JYU)
Tiina Nikkola (JYU)
Antti Saari (Tuni)

Worklife mentor(s):

Pontus Purokuru

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Tiia Kontkanen
Doctoral researcher

Finnish Institute of Educational Research
Faculty of Education and Psychology
Doctoral Programme in Education

Tiia Kontkanen has background in liberal adult education, non-governmental organisations and social sciences. Kontkanen is interested in researching sustainable practices and sustainability education in third sector organisations. In addition she is interested in ecosocial Bildung, transformative and action-based learning as well as planetary wellbeing.

Research topic

“Enablers and Constrains of Nonformal Sustainability Education”

Keywords: sustainability education, nonformal learning, transformative learning, third sector, practice architectures

Supervisors:

Hannu L.T. Heikkinen (JYU)
Anna Lehtonen (JYU)
Heidi Layne (JYU)

Worklife mentor(s):

Erkka Laininen (OKKA Foundation)

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Venla Leppilampi
Doctoral researcher
Faculty of Mathematics and Science
Doctoral Programme in Biological and Environmental Science

My research focuses on the carbon and biodiversity footprint of Finnish transportation system and identifying the sub-systems which have the greatest potential in mitigating climate and biodiversity impacts in tandem. I also study could biodiversity footprint indicators be used in measuring planetary well-being. In my research I am especially interested in how our ways of life impacts climate and biodiversity and finding solutions in order to facilitate a sustainability transformation in societies.

Research topic

“The carbon and biodiversity footprint of Finnish transportation system.”

Keywords: transportation system, carbon footprint, biodiversity footprint, planetary well-being, sustainability transformation

Supervisors:

Stefan Baumeister (JYU)
Sami El Geneidy (JYU)
Janne S. Kotiaho (JYU)

Worklife mentor(s):

Hanna Strömmer (Traficom)

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Liisa Mäkinen
Doctoral researcher
School of Business and Economics
Doctoral Programme in Business Studies

I study young people’s future orientations and pro-environmental behaviour in the context of sustainability transitions. I am particularly interested in how future orientations and societal expectations shape their agency in advancing sustainability.

Research topic

“Exploring future orientations and pro-environmental behaviour among Finnish youth: implications for sustainability transitions.”

Keywords: future orientations, pro-environmental behaviour, sustainability transitions, youth sustainability agency, societal expectations

Supervisors:

Katri Savolainen (JYU)
Marileena Mäkelä (JYU)
Sofia Laine (Tuni)

Worklife mentor(s):

Teemu Alexander Puutio (Harvard University)
Marja Järvenpää (Sitra)

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Tanja Niemi
Doctoral researcher
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Doctoral programme of the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy

My doctoral research explores the sustainability transition of the food system, with a focus on perceptions of food and eating, acceptability, and the discursive and systemic dimensions of dietary change. What kind of future food systems support both good eating and planetary well-being? Are eating well and just dietary transition at odds, or could they be aligned in socio-culturally acceptable ways?

Research topic

“Nordic eating for planetary well-being: identifying and fostering interfaces for socio-culturally accepted dietary transition.”

Keywords: just dietary transition, planetary well-being, food system, paradigms, perceptions

Supervisors:

Teea Kortetmäki (JYU)
Tiina Onkila (JYU)
Irene Kuhmonen (JYU)

Worklife mentor(s):

Hanna Mattila (Uusimaa Regional Council)

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SusTra steering group at the University of Jyväskylä

The steering group is embedded within JYU.Wisdom and manages SusTra’s activities at the University of Jyväskylä. The group aims for active collaboration, co-learning, and sharing information and ideas across faculties and SusTra members.

Biodiversity loss threatens the ecosystem functions and Finland has committed to stop the loss. I study how we can reach this goal. What are conservation values of different biotopes, how human activities contribute to degradation and what are the most efficient management tools to stop degradation?

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Sanna Karkulehto is a Professor of Literature at the University of Jyväskylä and JYU.Wisdom. She studies literature in relation to contemporary culture, media and society. She specializes in ethical and political questions concerning diversity, differences, otherness, and power in contemporary literature and culture.

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Tiina Kontinen is an Associate Professor in International Development Studies and leads the International DEICO Master's Degree Programme. Kontinen's research interests include civil society, civic space, civil society organizations and NGOs, knowledge production, citizenship, learning citizenship, and North-South collaborations.

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I'm a social scientist and philosopher specialized in sustainability sciences and food system studies. My ongoing research themes include for example just transition and climate policy, sustainable food systems and food system transitions, environmental ethics, sustainability philosophy and planetary well-being.

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Janne Kotiaho is a professor of ecology. He is the director of JYU.Wisdom, the chair of the Finnish Nature Panel and a member of the Kone Foundation Board. His research interests include nature conservation, science-policy interface, behavioral ecology, restoration ecology and evolutionary biology.

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Tiina Onkila works as an associate professor of Corporate Environmental management in JSBE. Her research interests include sustainable business, circular economy, microlevel CSR, stakeholder approaches and sustainability reporting. She acts as the head of CEM-research group and is a part of the Finnish Nature Panel.

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I work as a senior lecturer, and I am trained as a psychologist (MA), researcher (PhD) and teacher. My research interests include promotion of mental well-being and physical health. Recently, I have been interested in the intertwining of the well-being of people and nature and the utilization of nature interventions.

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More information about SusTra at JYU

Laura Tuominen

Expert

JYU.Wisdom Research Coordinator, SusTra community supervisor in JYU

SusTra – Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot

Solution-oriented sustainability research

Research themes

SusTra Doctoral Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä

SusTra steering group at the University of Jyväskylä

More information about SusTra at JYU

Learn more about the SusTra pilot

See also

Wisdom Days 2026 Conference: Science for Sustainability Transformations

Sustainability Transformations seminar course

JYU.Wisdom - School of Resource Wisdom

SusTra – Sustainability Transformations Doctoral Education Pilot

Solution-oriented sustainability research

Research themes

Management and funding

SusTra Doctoral Researchers at the University of Jyväskylä

Felix Dade, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Katri Jurvakainen, Faculty of Education and Psychology

Tiia Kontkanen, Faculty of Education and Psychology

Venla Leppilampi, Faculty of Mathematics and Science

Liisa Mäkinen, School of Business and Economics

Tanja Niemi, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

SusTra steering group at the University of Jyväskylä

Panu Halme, Faculty of Mathematics and Science

Hannu Heikkinen, Finnish Institute for Educational Research

Sanna Karkulehto, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Tiina Kontinen, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Teea Kortetmäki, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Janne Kotiaho, Faculty of Mathematics and Science

Tiina Onkila, School of Business and Economics

Katri Savolainen, Faculty of Education and Psychology

More information about SusTra at JYU

Learn more about the SusTra pilot

See also

Wisdom Days 2026 Conference: Science for Sustainability Transformations

Sustainability Transformations seminar course

JYU.Wisdom - School of Resource Wisdom