Research & Art

Sensual Mathematics Exhibition. Photo by Henri Vogt.

High-quality research. A unique combination of science, art, technology and business.

At Aalto University, we create the conditions needed for innovation, economic growth, employment and wellbeing. Our research focuses on seven key areas combining four core competences in the fields of ICT, materials, arts, design and business together with three grand challenges related to energy, living environment, and health.

Key research areas

Aalto X Reality Keynote PiP by Matti Ahlgren

Key Research Area: ICT and digitalisation

Digital technologies like AI and 5G cut through the whole society, from education to medicine and economics.

Research & Art
An abstract composition of different metals and forms.

Key Research Area: Materials and sustainable use of natural resources

Materials research ranges from physics, nanotechnology, mechanics, performance and design to biomaterials and sustainable resource use.

Research & Art
In Tension 4 Photo by_ Eeva Suorlahti

Key Research Area: Arts and design knowledge-building

Art and creativity enable looking at the grand challenges of our time from a new perspective. Look past the imaginable and join us in changing the world in art and design knowledge building.

Research & Art
General image of people gathered at Slush startup event, photo by Mikko Raskinen

Key Research Area: Global business dynamics

Research related to global economy dynamics is carried out in the areas of business, economics, and industrial engineering and management.

Research & Art
View of Helsinki by night. Photo by Ioannis Koulousis.

Key Research Area: Advanced energy solutions

The main focus in energy research and teaching are energy sciences, multidisciplinary energy technologies, and sustainable energy solutions.

Research & Art
Kokoon modular living system is made of wood. Photo: Tuomas Uusheimo

Key Research Area: Human-centred living environments

Research in this area aims to understand how individuals experience their physical environment and how art, spaces, buildings and communities can enhance it.

Research & Art
Aalto-health-forest-hiking

Key Research Area: Health and wellbeing

Health and wellbeing focus areas include biomedical engineering, neuroscience, biomaterials, digital health, and health management and design.

Research & Art

Join Aalto - Interested in starting a career with us?

Read more about our doctoral programmes and tenure track career system! And get to know our university teaching.

Aalto-yliopisto / tohtoreiden hatut

How to apply for doctoral studies?

Doctoral students at Aalto University can pursue the degrees of Doctor of Science (Technology), Doctor of Arts (Art and Design), Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration), and Doctor of Science (Architecture). The target time for the doctoral degree is four years. The admissions are organised individually by each doctoral programme.

Doctoral education
At work

Tenure track

Aalto University’s tenure track career system offers a well-supported and clear career path for professor-level academics towards a permanent professorship.

Opiskelijalla kynä kädessä

Lecturer career system

Aalto lecturer career system is intended primarily for individuals conducting teaching. The lecturer career system supports individual development and career advancement through clear principles and systematic evaluation criteria and allows Aalto teachers and lecturers to advance in their careers with teaching-focused merits. Teachers and lecturers have the opportunity to advance within the career system, from the university teacher level to the university lecturer level, and further to the position of a senior university lecturer and principal university lecturer. This page contains principles of the lecturer career system, levels in lecturer career system, generic time allocation in lecturer career levels as well as descriptions of recruitment and advancement processes.

Teaching and learning
Lecture hall during the lecture

Teaching and learning

A landing page for teachers to help them find services and support related to teaching and learning.

Delve into our research – find the people behind it!

Excellence in research

We believe that impact and excellence in research are best achieved by collaboration – both between disciplines as well as universities. Get to know our recognitions, funding awards and projects.

Read about our recognitions

Olli Ikkala

Learning from nature

In his lab, Academy Professor Olli Ikkala is catching up with evolution’s lead in the manufacture of materials. The results of his work may be of crucial significance to an energy-scarce society.

News
Jaana Vapaavuori (left) and Konstantinos Daskalakis (right)

EU grants for smart materials and next generation LEDs

Three million euros grants to Assistant Professor Jaana Vapaavuori and Postdoctoral Researcher Konstantinos Daskalakis to make environmentally friendly materials

News
Lasse Lecklin

Professor Paula Hohti receives two million euros of ERC funding for research into renaissance fashion and culture

Experimental processing of materials from fashion history opens up new interpretations of daily life in bygone times.

News

Tenured Professors' Installation Talks

In the short videos, the new tenured professors present their own field and research.

Watch the Talks
Installation Talk, photo: Minna Pajari

Renewing society by art, creativity and design

Aalto University promotes creativity in all disciplines and communities. One of our strategic targets is to renew society through art, creativity and design. We are a forerunner in combining art and creative practices with research and education.

Read more about renewing society by art
Unexepected encounters exhibition: Matilda Tuure's colourful glass work presenting Bacterial Cellulose Samples

Science and art help us make sense of our complex world and, at the same time, challenge our own ways of thinking.

Ilkka Niemelä, President

Read the latest research news

A dog and two researchers. Photo: Aalto University/Mikko Raskinen
Research & Art Published:

Significant Academy of Finland funding for for the multidisciplinary consortium project PAWWS – People and Animal Wellbeing at Work and in Society

Astrid Huopalainen, Assistant Professor at Aalto University, Linda Tallberg, Assistant Professor at Hanken School of Economics, and Anna Hielm-Björkman, Docent at University of Helsinki, are principal investigators of the project
A teacher and two researchers smiling and sorting through paper presentations in a classroom
Research & Art Published:

Empathy in design and digitalisation – Aalto University researchers hold workshops for students at Arabia Comprehensive School

Aalto University researchers organised workshops for seventh graders, whose creative thinking skills were put to the test in designing future information services
Maja Jantar's rehearsal at Tartu Planetarium
Research & Art Published:

The Creative Europe project ‘Urban Travel Machines’ at Tartu international literary festival in Estonia

Eleven Aalto Arts students and VCD Lecturer Tarja Nieminen participated in the Tartu international literary festival Prima Vista from 9th to 13th May 2023.
Kimmo Karhu is a post-doctoral researcher at Aalto University.
Research & Art Published:

The BalticSeaH2 project starts building a hydrogen valley around the Baltic Sea

Aalto University will focus on studying the use of data-mediated network effects to boost the growth in the hydrogen valley.

Key figures of 2022 and annual reports

On this page we present key figures of 2022 and the Annual Board Report and Financial Statements.

Read more
Speeding metro at Aalto University metro station

Platforms and other collaboration units

Many scientific and societal challenges require systematic and integrative approaches that are beyond the capabilities of a single discipline or department. We believe that collaboration both within Aalto as well as with external stakeholders is key in order to gain the best possible impact.

Networking at Aalto

Aalto Networking Platform

The Aalto Networking Platform brings together research expertise across departments, supporting collaboration both inside and outside of Aalto.

Three researchers using a device on the surface of the ice at Aalto ice tank

Research and learning infrastructures

Our research and teaching infrastructures are a prerequisite for world-class, cutting edge research. They offer opportunities for collaboration and foster the local innovation ecosystem growth. The large infrastructures are open for all Aalto and external users.

Societal impact as driving force

Close-up of two students making notes on a research article while reading it.

Open science and research

The principle of openness is the key principle of science and research. At Aalto University, the most visible forms of open science are open access publications, open research data and metadata, and combining openness and commercialisation.

Two women analysing the content of a test tube

Research assessments

Aalto University is continuously assessing the quality of its research and artistic activities, and its societal impact. The assessment is based on peer review and internationally agreed best practices.

Research & Art
People working

Research Ethics and Research Integrity

Aalto University has committed itself to following the guidelines for ethical principles of research and integrity. You will find help and advice on questions on research ethics.

Research & Art
Researchers

Management of research and art

Research at Aalto University is conducted by faculty and staff based in the departments. The role of the university management is to ensure the long-term preconditions for conducting high-quality and high-impact research and art.

Aalto Handbook
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