Impact

Impact

Impact

Aallon osasto Slushissa

Five things to know about university impact

When you think about the powerhouses ensuring our societal and economical success, universities may not be the first thing to pop into mind. It's clear that a university's basic function is to provide education and advance scientific research, but what else is there?

PEOPLE

Aaltonians are a major source of societal impact in a variety of roles. Meet some of them! 

Alum of the Year Anna Brotkin: “We need modern stories about our era”

Screenwriter Anna Brotkin is the Alum of the Year 2026 of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture. She believes in the power of locality and the importance of hope in times of crisis.

A person wearing a dark jacket stands outside a multi-storey building with many windows.

Women's networks – between symbolism and impact

Women often face the challenge that the networks relevant to them are informal and male‑dominated. These so‑called old boys’ networks can slow down women’s career paths and reinforce existing inequalities.

Marjo-Riitta Diehl profile picture

The real reasons Endurance sank – study finds Shackleton knew of ship’s shortcomings

A world-first study reveals the famed polar explorer was aware of worrying structural shortcomings in the ill-fated ship – Endurance was not designed for compressive ice conditions – yet it set sail anyway.

A man in a dark blue shirt and black trousers leaning against brown rock wall near a fireplace with candles.

Space technology visionary Jaan Praks awarded as Espoo Ambassador 2025

Professor Jaan Praks has been chosen as Espoo's new congress ambassador

Professori Jaan Praks, Vuoden 2025 Espoo Ambassador

Professor of Ownership Samuli Knüpfer received the OP Financial Group Research Foundation's recognition award

OP Financial Group Research Foundation may award individuals who have significantly promoted economic research in fields supported by the foundation

Omistajuuden professori Samuli Knüpfer

Hannu Martola appointed as Chair of the Aalto University Alumni Network Board

The board’s new members are Esa Arola, Eila Lindroos and Terttu Sopanen. Continuing members are Ari Bertula, Ossi Leikola, Laura Nikola and Katja Soini.

Four people standing in a spacious indoor area with signs above them. The floor is tiled and walls are white.

INNOVATION

Innovation is our cup of tea. Check out these research-based accomplishments!

Aalto University unveils AaltoQ20 – a state-of-the-art quantum computer for educating quantum talent of the future

AaltoQ20 is a unique quantum computer that researchers can also use to study quantum phenomena and develop new technology.

A white cylindrical machine with 'Aalto University' logo in an industrial setting.

Finnish wood-based innovations on display in London

The exhibition showcases Finnish bioeconomy solutions for both industry and everyday consumer life. Origami-based FOLD materials offer more sustainable solutions not only for packaging but also for many other applications.

Modern exhibition room with mannequins in green and white clothes, bowls and a beige bathtub on white plinths

Finland builds a connected Cleantech Ecosystem to accelerate green innovation

Finland is stepping up its efforts to drive Europe’s green and digital transformation as part of the EU-funded FINEX project.

A satellite above Earth with a forest patch. Digital icons overlay a landscape. EU funding logo in the top right.

Satellite images reveal the positive effects of restoration in the northern hemisphere peatlands

Satellite data spanning over 20 years shows that the temperature and albedo of restored peatlands begin to resemble those of intact peatlands within about a decade

Forest with green mossy ground and thin trees, a square measuring frame is set on the moss.

Measuring urban nature: new habitat types and criteria support the prevention of biodiversity loss

A recent report introduces an anthropogenic habitat classification and assessment criteria that make it possible to visualize, measure, and compare nature in the built environment. These tools enable the assessment of ecological condition and support the development of green infrastructure and the prevention of biodiversity loss in cities.

City street with benches, trees, and bushes. Cars parked along the road. Sunny day.

Invisible triumph: how a Finnish invention powers modern microelectronics

Atomic layer deposition (ALD), developed in Finland, is a semiconductor manufacturing method at the heart of modern technology, enabling ever-smaller computers, smartphones, and everyday devices.

Two circular wafers held up by gloved hands, one metallic and one blue, in a laboratory setting.

PARTNERSHIPS

Partnerships and networks play an essential role in societal impact.

VTT, Aalto University and GTK: How to ensure Finland captures the multi‑billion growth potential of mineral economy

Finland is rising to the forefront of the mineral economy through new research initiatives and closer collaboration

A close-up of various electronic waste pieces, including circuit boards, wires, and metal fragments in different colours.

EMMA (Espoo Museum of Modern Art) showcases evolving processes and artistic research in a ceramic art exhibition

Ceramics Facing the New presents twelve artists and two artist groups specializing in ceramic art, all of whom use materials and techniqu...

A modern art gallery with pottery, hanging art, and a projection. A person walks past a lavender wall with text.

Aalto University and Saab sign a new ten-year collaboration agreement

The second ten-year collaboration agreement strengthens and deepens research cooperation

Group of people in a room with blue soundproofing panels, standing around a tall antenna structure.

Nokia accelerated the adoption of large language models with support from Aalto EE (external link)

Nokia decided to fast-track the adoption of large language models (LLMs) in software development. For support, Nokia partnered with Aalto EE to create a custom-built training program.

Minna Koivu, Principal Transformation Manager, and Vesa Kohtamäki, Head of Technology Center Espoo, Nokia.

Half of highly educated immigrants find employment through Espoo and Aalto’s collaboration

The exceptional employment outcomes are the result of collaboration, in which service design research has played a key role.

A person reads a book in front of a large illuminated 'A' sign.

CAMPUS

Welcome to Otaniemi!

Demo Day breaks records in 2026: Inside Otaniemi’s fastest growing startup showcase

Hosted by Aalto Startup Center and A Grid, Demo Day brought together nearly 800 visitors, 90 startup booths, and over 75 investors. What began as a grassroots gathering in 2018 has grown into one of Finland’s most vibrant startup showcases.

Attendees networking at Demo Day

Life inside the rock: Otaniemi’s ‘catacombs’ as a living lab for research and education

Building underground calls for research and expertise from many fields. We descended into a tunnel right from the Aalto University campus.

People in helmets and vests sit in a cave-like room, watching a presentation on a screen. A person points at the screen.

Campus nature is alive and changing – how dynamic design shapes everyday environments

With the right plant choices and an understanding of microclimates, it is possible to create plant communities that thrive with minimal maintenance.

Marsion edustan niitty

Solar NRB (Noraebang): Sustainable Korean Karaoke Booth on Campus

#project #sustainable events #sustainable materials #new sustainable innovations and prototypes

Solar NRB is a Korean-style karaoke booth that brings together sustainable materials, and cultural
exchange to create a welcoming, sustainability-driven social space at Aalto.

Colourful geometric shapes and text 'NRB -> ON CAMPUS' on a black background.

Entrepreneurial mindset: Aalto alumni founders

Aalto's 100 000+ alumni have had enormous societal impact. Read about some of the people who found their startup spark in our community.

Vacuumwood.tech - a modular, carbon-neutral construction system (external link)

In the past, wood-based and vacuum-based construction approaches have been used, but there has never been a hybrid like this, resulting in a moisture-resistant and long-lasting construction system that can be used in a range of environments - from the ultra-cold to the ultra-warm.

Panu Miettinen

Flowrite - AI startup aims to reduce time spent on written communications by 50% (external link)

In 2018, Adobe reported that US white-collar workers spend an average of 3.1 hours a day checking work email. That's a problem that Flowrite is trying to fix.

Aalto founder stories: Flowrite

Veri - a wearable that helps tackle poor metabolic health (external link)

Veri is democratising access to information about our bodies, empowering people to make better choices.

Anttoni Aniebonam, Veri CEO

Surgify - Drilling down into a surgical startup’s journey (external link)

Helsinki-based medical startup Surgify is playing its part in reducing post-surgical complications. Its groundbreaking surgical drill design is helping to reduce the risks associated with complex brain surgeries while improving recovery time.

Visa Sippola from Surgify

Ioncell - transforming used textiles and wood pulp into new textile fibres. (external link)

A staggering 70,000 tons of textiles are consumed each year in Finland alone. Globally, most textiles are discarded at a landfill, while in Finland, they largely end up as energy waste.

Ioncell CEO Antti Rönkkö

Fepod: easy measuring for optimal pain medication dosage (external link)

Willow bark. Mandrake. Opium. Over the centuries, we've explored countless treatments to soothe pain. And we've got better at it over time. Now pain medications like paracetamol, codeine and morphine are commonplace. But are they optimal?

Valkoinen laboratoriotakki sekä analyysityökalu, jolla voidaan mitata veripisarasta särkylääkkeen pitoisuus.

Impact with an international approach

touching fingers

Aalto University network of academic, research, and exchange partnerships (external link)

Aalto University has a wide range of partner universities around the globe. Have a quick look at our mobility partners by searching through the link.

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