The professorship in consumer research named A. I. Virtanen Professorship

A. I. Virtanen was a professor at the Helsinki University of Technology and later at the University of Helsinki. He was a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, an Academician and the first director of the Academy of Finland. In addition, he was the director of the research at Valio for half a century.

The work of Virtanen combined scientific success with practical applications and successful new products, out of which AIV fodder is the best known.  

This year marks the 70th anniversary of his Nobel Prize. Virtanen was born 120 years ago.

Aalto University established the A. I. Virtanen professorship in recognition of the support of scientific research at its School of Business by Finland's biggest dairy company Valio.

The A. I. Virtanen professorship symbolises the long-standing cooperation between Valio and Aalto University, as well as their common goals in the advancement of consumer research and education in Finland. Valio's research and product development is largely founded on the research tradition based on the work of A. I. Virtanen.

Professor John W. Schouten is the current holder of the professorship. His research spans areas of consumer identity, consumption communities, market dynamics, alternative methodologies and environmental and social sustainability. His publications have appeared in top marketing journals including Journal of Marketing and Journal of Consumer Research. He has also co-authored and edited books on marketing and consumption.

Before coming to Aalto University, Professor Schouten worked as an assistant professor at Iowa State University and then at University of Portland, USA, where he was promoted to associate professor with tenure.

Further information
Professor John Schouten
tel. 050 571 0818
[email protected]

Aalto University School of Business