Hannele Pokka, LLD, has been invited to the position of professor of practice in environmental responsibility at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences as of 1 September 2020. Pokka brings with her diverse expertise in high-level public engagement and lobbying in, among other fields, Finnish environmental and nature conservation affairs and sustainable development.
"Improving the provision of research-based knowledge in support of social decision-making is one of the challenges faced and goals pursued by the Faculty and the University as a whole, which is why we are extremely pleased to get an experienced leader such as Hannele to join our team. This is a jackpot for our students, too," says Dean Jaakko Kangasjärvi of the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences.
"I'm very excited to have the chance to work in the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences team. The research and teaching at the Faculty cover the most topical of themes from viruses to biotopes and climate change. I believe I can strengthen the interaction between the Faculty and society," says Hannele Pokka, LLD.
Pokka, who relinquished the position of permanent secretary at the Ministry of the Environment in May, has served for decades at the top of public decision-making, also in the positions of Member of the Finnish Parliament, Minister of Justice and Governor of the Province of Lapland.
"With the Faculty's first professor of practice position, we are also aiming to boost the social impact of our research and teaching on the local, national and international levels, for example, by increasingly offering our research and expertise in support of decision-making. Hannele Pokka is bringing with her long-term experience of and expertise in societal issues," says Atte Korhola, vide-dean in charge of societal interaction at the Faculty.
At the University of Helsinki, a holder of a doctoral degree with professional merits and experience of particular significance from outside the academic world may be appointed to the position of professor of practice. Initially, the term of the position of professor of practice in environmental responsibility is three years. The position is part time (30%), with the appointee contributing to the Faculty's operations as a top-level expert of public engagement, a visiting expert lecturer and a consolidator of the professional relevance of the education provided by the Faculty.
