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The Good Teacher Award was granted to Associate Professor Tiina Kontinen from the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy based on the recommendations of students and the Student Union. Kontinen is described as a student-oriented, understanding, and warm-hearted teacher. Specifically noted, Kontinen is acknowledged for her way of leading students toward graduation and into their lives after studies.

The Good Leadership Award was granted to the Head of the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy Marjo Kuronen. An interactive leader, Kuronen promotes an encouraging atmosphere for students and staff. According to students, she expresses genuine interest in supporting students’ wellbeing and coping. Through her actions, Kuronen has demonstrated the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥â€™s values, such as caring, collaboration, openness, trust, and equality.

In her dissertation in the field of cognitive science, MSc (Econ.), Ph.D Hilkka Grahn evaluated a new testing method to measure visual inattention. She also clarified how different interaction methods in user interfaces and applications impact the visual inattention of drivers. In addition to its scientific quality, her dissertation also highlights the method’s practical applicability and significance for the everyday lives of people in various roles, thus earning this year’s Good Dissertation Award.

The Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Corporate Collaboration Award was granted to Professor Varpu Marjomäki (the Department of Biological and Environmental Science). Marjomäki is an active innovator whose invention related to enteroviruses is already well advanced in the University’s patenting process. Her innovation activity also is visible in a joint project with the Natural Resources Institute Finland (LUKE). The project aims to prepare for the commercialisation of the research-based invention to prevent and destroy viruses, as well as to conduct research to support the commercialisation process.

The Education Development Award went to Docent and Senior Lecturer Risto Niemi-Pynttäri, PhD, from the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies. Niemi-Pynttäri, a senior lecturer in literature and writing, has constructed and developed the pedagogy of writing, evident in his teaching content and the curricula for advanced studies in writing, which are available only at JYU. An innovative and tenacious developer of teaching, Niemi-Pynttäri always seeks new pedagogical solutions.

The Science Communication Award was awarded to Senior Lecturer Tuija Saresma from the Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies. Saresma is an influential participant in societal discussion, drawing on her expertise in her interdisciplinary background in culture, populism, and gender research. In addition to cooperating with various ministries, influential members of civil society, and different political parties, she also participates actively in societal discussions and campaigns. Saresma’s activities and engagement contribute substantially to societal development and betterment because hate speech and polarisation – the targets of her research – are considered significant threats to democracy.

The 2022 Scientific Breakthrough Award was shared by Postdoctoral Researcher Mikael Reponen and Associate Professor Markus Kortelainen from the Department of Physics. Their research in the field of experimental and theoretical nuclear physics challenged current theoretical models and motivated the development of new theoretical models. The scientists of the JYU’s Accelerator Laboratory succeeded in implementing the first optical research below the neutron number N = 50, close to tin-100 and N = Z-line, by measuring the charge radius of silver-96. The study combined several experimental and theoretical methods, reflecting innovative developments in the field. Mikael Reponen led the study and Markus Kortelainen wrote the theoretical portion of the study.

The Influencer Award was granted to Director of Executive Education Ari Manninen, PhD (Educ.), from JSBE. Manninen has a far-reaching and impactful work history of more than 25 years as the leader of the Executive MBA unit and executive education at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥. The Executive MBA training program under Manninen’s leadership has become an internationally accredited programme that responds to the leadership challenges in the digital era. The programme has strongly boosted the success of many Finnish companies.

The Community Spirit Builder Award was granted to Doctoral Researcher Mukhammadyusuf Shaimardanov from JSBE. Shaimardanov currently is writing his dissertation in the field of leadership. From the beginning of his studies, Shaimardanov has promoted community spirit among doctoral students and created interactive social and educational encounters between doctoral students and staff.

The annual grant from the Aino Sallinen Trust was awarded to Postdoctoral Researcher Orsolya Kolozsvári from the Department of Psychology. A researcher of the development of the cortical hearing system, Kolozsvári will make a research visit to the Department of Neuroscience at the renowned Brown University (USA). Kolozsvári, a developmental neuroscientist, has studied in Hungary and the United Kingdom. She completed her doctoral degree at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ in 2021.

The purpose of the Ellen and Artturi Nyyssönen Foundation is to promote quality research at the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥. The 2022 grant from the foundation was presented to Associate Professor Sakari Taipale from the Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy. The award recognizes Taipale’s extensive research in how the societal effects of digitalisation and new technologies relate to the people’s daily lives, ageing, family and intergenerational relationships, and changes in the world of work and service systems. In his large and diverse body of publications, Taipale has studied, for example, mobile communication, robotics, social media, and the use of Internet.