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Maarit Korpi-Lagg: I have so few female colleagues that sometimes it’s difficult to maintain self-esteem

In this video, Professor of Astroinformatics Maarit Korpi-Lagg shares her childhood dream and how it feels to work in the midst of the many male researchers and professors.
Maarit Korpi-Lagg, photo by by Matti Ahlgren
‘My biggest dream since I was a child was to understand astronomical objects. Then, I have focused most of my career in understanding the sun,' says Maarit Korpi-Lagg. Photo: Matti Ahlgren.

'It’s of course a daunting task for a female professor to do something as great as these recognised professors. Sometimes it’s difficult to maintain self-esteem in a situation where there are so few female colleagues. Both in physics and computer science there are very few female researchers and professors. Last year we had a celebration because the first female student passed my course. It was a big thing for me,' says Professor Maarit Korpi-Lagg.

The video has been produced by the European Commission and it has been directed by Kasia and Dawid Kissinger.

Maarit Korpi-Lagg turned her childhood hobbies into a living

As a child, Maarit Korpi-Lagg was interested in the stars and coding, and now she researches the activity of the sun, which could not be done without computer science

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Nainen seisoo ja katsoo sivulle hymyillen kädet puuskassa. Hänellä on päällään musta paita ja sininen huivi ja aurinko värjää taustaa vaaleaksi.

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Minna Halme, photo by Hayley Le

Minna Halme: At first, sustainability wasn’t taken seriously

'I was told to do a doctoral thesis on a different topic if I want a job in the future.'

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Saban Ramadani, Photo by Hayley Le

Saban Ramadani: Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?

‘When you are expected to come up with something quickly, for instance, in visual arts, is the purpose itself lost in the creative process? Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?’

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Walk in my shoes

Inspired by the saying that you should walk a mile in someone’s shoes to understand them, the ‘Walk in my shoes’ series aims to share some of the experiences, thoughts, perspectives and challenges faced by members of the Aalto community.

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Walk in my shoes, illustration by Anna Muchenikova.
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New recommendation: doctoral students’ plans (DPSP) to be discussed twice a year

Doctoral students and supervising professors are encouraged to use the My Dialogue schedule to discuss the Doctoral personal study plan (DPSP).
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Remember to pay attention to the terms of use of electronic resources

A wide range of electronic resources has been acquired for the use of Aalto University students and researchers. However, it is good to remember that all use of the materials acquired by the Aalto University Learning Centre is subject to the terms of use.
Black text on blue background: #27 ShanghaiRanking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025
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Aalto University's marine technology ranked 27th globally

Seven fields of Aalto University ranked among the top one hundred in the prestigious Shanghai Ranking Global Ranking of Academic Subjects
Ihmisiä tutustumassa Aalto-yliopiston näyttelyyn messuhallissa
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Projects from Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center and CHEMARTS featured at Dutch Design Week

Aalto University’s exhibition “Designs for the Material Future” at Dutch Design Week attracted up to 10,000 visitors over nine days, gained attention in international media, and received praise from attendees.