Furthering the reach of our academic community's own voice.

Ourblogs.aalto.fi site hosts the blogs written by members of Aalto University: faculty, staff and students. Visiting bloggers are invited by Aalto community members.

Our blogs is multilingual: the platform and general instructions will be in English to serve the whole community. However, each blogger and author can freely choose the language in which they publish.

Person holding tablet walking by lighted Aalto logo A

Featured posts

abstract

The mindful path to meaning

Detaching from thoughts can lighten your mind about work but also strengthen its meaning

Uskonnot Aallossa 1

Religions in Aalto - building a more inclusive campus

April's EDI discussion session's theme was Religions at Aalto. Read here what the facilitators from AaMu (Aalto Muslims Association) thought

Timo Viherkenttä

Kiinteistövero jengoilleen - nyt!

Kiinteistöveron perusteena olevat verotusarvot ovat pahoin rämettyneet. Nyt on aika korjata tämä.

Career Design Lab -piirroskuva

Becoming a transcender

Self-transcendence is a question of the values you steer your life and career by.

Palautuminen

Jos ihminen olisi kone

Jos ihminen olisi kone, sen kyky säädellä energiatasojaan tilanteen mukaan, korjata ja kehittää itseään näyttäytyisi hämmentävän taidokkaana

In cost-benefit analysis, the benefits of the assessed service are compared to the costs associated with the data production and distribution.

What is the value of earth observation data?

With socioeconomic impact assessment it is possible to specify and quantify the impact that earth observation data has on our society.

tree stems

A closer look at tree stems

Understanding the spectral behavior of bark might be surprisingly useful in remote sensing and other fields of research.

virtual computer lab

Virtual Labs for Deep Learning with Audio Course

A review of Azure Lab Services in teaching the "Deep Learning with Audio" course at Aalto

Aurélien Nioche

Creating the perfect teacher: How a cumbersome start with Japanese led to a better self-teaching app

Aurélien Nioche describes his recent work on a model that predicts learning outcomes days into the future

Penguins in front of SA Agulhas II

Kohti Etelämannerta

Aalto-yliopiston professori, jäätutkija Jukka Tuhkuri kertoo tutkimusmatkastaan Etelämantereelle.

Student's study setup with a book and takeaway coffee

How to set goals as a student? The 3-step framework

Areeb shares his tips on setting goals as a student. Spoiler: reflecting on your values, skills and resources might be helpful.

Oasis of Radical Wellbeing Blue

Luja itsemyötätunto käytännössä

Miksi itsemyötätunto on erityisen tärkeää yliopiston kaltaisissa yhteisöissä?

With new solution-based recycling processes, more raw materials can be recovered from batteries. In the picture, a red cobalt salt and a blue-green nickel salt have been obtained from a battery cell. Photo: Valeria Azovskaya / Aalto University.

Accelerating the global energy transition: Clean energy demands socially just policies

Policy, technology, and practice must be aligned to accomplish the shift to clean energy, say Aalto's experts.

Leigh Ewin

A glimpse of A Grid with Leigh Ewin

Leigh Ewin, jack-of-all-trades at A Grid, tells the story of the recently established startup community.

Two guys working together

4 Ways To Successfully Onboard Into A New Role post-graduation

Well, done! You have graduated, and landed a job. What are the next steps you can take to make your transition to the company smooth?

Aika stage at the Suomi Areena event in Pori in 2017.

Advancing climate actions in the places we live: Designing cities to store carbon 

Simple changes in urban planning can reduce carbon emissions and increase carbon storage, offering tools to help meet emissions targets.

Prototypes from the FlowerMatter project

Delivering the practical solutions needed to adapt to climate impacts – Bio-based materials could move us beyond plastic 

By processing lignin, cellulose, and other plant matter into new bio-materials, research is opening paths to sustainable alternatives.

Blog posts

Volkswagen clay model of car and man in suit watching it.

Public Defence in Visual Communication Design, MA Heikki Rajasalo

Thesis: Design Governance – The Establishment of the Data-Driven Decision-Making in Industrial Innovation Management in Digital Convergence

Summer photo in finland

The Summer I… decided to move to Finland 🌿✨

The summer I decided to move to Finland didn’t start with a dramatic moment. There was no instant epiphany, no single turning point. Instead, it was a slow accumulation of thoughts, feelings, and what-ifs that finally tipped me over. In the summer when I turned 16, I visited Finland for the first time. It was a short 2-week trip to a sports center near Helsinki, where we went hiking, camping, kayaking, and even played disc golf. In general, a very Finnish summer experience.

Students having dinner together

Kicking off the semester with my old and new buddies

It was that time of the year again when campus lit up with the appearance of new faces. For our Sustainable Entrepreneurship Master's program, that meant meeting the second cohort. We, the second-years, decided that nothing can compete with fun games and free dinners for the best bonding experience.

Orientation week at Aalto University

🎓 Orientation Week at Aalto University

Orientation week at Aalto University isn’t just about lectures and schedules, it’s the real start of your life in Finland. Having gone through it twice, I can say it’s intense, exciting, and sometimes a little overwhelming… but also one of the best parts of the whole experience.

Students studying together

What I’ve learned in 2 years in and about Aalto

Hey there! I’m Katalin from Hungary and I am studying in the Design BA (now called Design and Media) program at Aalto University. I moved to Finland 2 years ago In these two years I was pretty active, I was in the board of TOKYO, the student association for all ARTS students. I got to plan a workshop in Ateneum (Finnish National Gallery), plan events, and welcome new students.

Student selfie

Few tips for moving to Finland

Hey there! I’m Katalin from Hungary and I am studying in the Design BA (now called Design and Media) program at Aalto University. I moved to Finland 2 years ago. I would like to share a few tips that would have been a for me when I moved.

Students starting their studies

Letter to My First-Year Self

By Alisson Yheraldin Onzueta Caballero

Final-year master's student in Water and Environmental Engineering



Time has flown. I am now in the final semester of my master’s degree, writing my thesis, wrapping up academic life, and working full time. These final months have offered more than just closure; they have brought perspective, not only about what I have learned, but about everything I needed to hear at the very beginning.

Photo from outside

Why Practical Experience is Just as Important as Coursework?

By Alisson Yheraldin Onzueta Caballero



When I began my master’s program, I was excited about diving into new subjects, climate models, hydrology, GIS tools, water treatment, and environmental governance. I was ready to learn, to listen, to analyze. And I did. But somewhere along the way, I realized that what we learn in the classroom only becomes meaningful when we test it in the real world.

Student smiling

How to Turn Your Passion into a Career in Development?

By Alisson Yheraldin Onzueta Caballero

Final-year master's student in Water and Environmental Engineering



When people ask me how I started working in development, I rarely know where to begin.

Studying at the campus

My Master's Thesis Process at Aalto

Hi! I am Elisa Pöyry, a student at Aalto University School of Business majoring in marketing. Currently, I am finalizing my master’s degree and writing my master’s thesis. Therefore, I thought I would discuss my research process so far including the different steps and milestones, and reflect on my journey in this blogpost. In addition, I will provide my personal tips for completing your thesis and managing the process successfully!

Student in Finnish summer

How to Spend Your Summer in Finland – Part 2

(Day trips to explore beyond Helsinki & Espoo)



Hey again! 👋



So, after soaking up all the amazing spots in Helsinki and Espoo, it’s time to hop on a train or bus and check out some of Finland’s other charming towns and small cities. These places are all close enough for a day trip or a relaxed weekend getaway.

Student enjoying the sun

🌞 How to Spend Your Summer in Finland – Part 1

Hey everyone!



I’m super excited to share this guide on how to make the most of your summer here in Finland. As a student ambassador, I get a lot of questions from new students and visitors about where to go and what to do when the days turn long and sunny.

Blogs

Aalto University building

Art and Media Research

This blog is for publicising research activities and events in the Department of Art and Media.

Students chatting together at a table

More Than the Degree

Aalto Squad student ambassadors' blog. Read all about student life and studies at Aalto University!

People sitting in a big seminar hall, Department Head Jens Schmidt opening the seminar on stage.

Tuta Blog

Blog posts from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Aalto University.

Flowers

Aalto Test Site Regenerative Textile Garden

Notes from a community garden of natural dye and fiber crops. Blog of biodiversity & design with Otaniemi-grown materials.

Aerial view of houses next to a forest.

Ilmastokestävät pientaloalueet (ILPI)

ILPI hankkeen tavoitteena on luoda ohjeistus pientaloalueiden ilmastokestävään tiivistämiseen.

IMG_2108.jpg

Maisemablogi

Maisema-arkkitehtuurin väitöskirjatutkijat kertovat blogissa ajankohtaisista tutkimusaiheistaan.

Finger pushing the button. Photo: Aalto University/Matti Ahlgren

Usable and accessible eHealth services for everyone / Käytettävät ja saavutettavat sähköiset terveyspalvelut kaikille

Blog from research group focusing on usability and accessibility of eHealth services.

Aalto University logo on campus

Politiikkasuosituksia – Policy briefs

Tutkijoiden kannanottoja parempien päätösten tueksi;
Bridging the gap between science and decision making

Career Design Lab - new perspectives for the future of work

Career Design Lab

Career design offers a fresh perspective to prepare for the future of work and unpredictable career paths.

A large group of people taking a picture together.

Aalto Global Impact: Beekeeping in Kenya

The Aalto Global Impact team, with support from multiple partners, is helping the Menengai community overcome environmental and financial challenges to launch sustainable bee farms that protect forests and create reliable income.

Timo Viherkenttä

Viherkentällä

Blogissa kommentoidaan ilmassa liikkuvia asioita verotuksesta, eläkerahoituksesta, julkisesta taloudesta ja sijoitusmarkkinoista.

Dress

Chosen for Redesign

Aalto University fashion and textile students in collaboration with second-hand clothing seller Emmy, explore how the lifespan of discarded clothing could be extended through redesign approaches.