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

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.

Student with friends

✨ From Barcelona to Aalto: My Journey as an International Student in Finland

When I first set foot in Finland, everything seemed like a quiet whisper: the empty landscapes of lakes and forests, the soft-spoken people, even the minimalist language of design. Coming from Barcelona, a city overflowing with energy, color, and expressive architecture, I wasn't sure how I would adapt. But I arrived in Finland with curiosity, a mind full of ideas, and the hope of experiencing something radically different.

Student in class

Balancing Creativity and Deadlines: How I Manage My Workflow

Hey there! I’m Katalin from Hungary and I am studying in the Design BA (now called Design and Media) program at Aalto University. People often ask what I find most challenging about my degree, and for me, it’s definitely learning how to manage my workflow in a way that stays balanced and healthy (still very much in progress).

Student at their internship

Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting Graduate School

When I began my Master’s in Water and Environmental Engineering, I was carrying not only academic ambition but also the hopes of my community and the challenge of navigating unfamiliar systems. Now, as I approach graduation, with the invaluable experience of working with the World Bank even before completing my degree, there are a few things I wish I had known from the start:

Blogs

Oasis of Radical Wellbeing blogs

Tools for taking care of your and your community's wellbeing.

Hightech+lowtech wall: Elias Sime (2018), Facebook HQ, Menlo Park. Photo Antti Ahlava

Co-How

The blog explores themes that are telling of transdisciplinary strategy tools and experimental collaboration methods.

TechBytes

TechBytes are quick, snack-sized articles and videos covering research and innovation technology solutions and ways to boost your academic productivity.

Iivo Vehviläinen standing in a staircase.

For a Cooler Planet

This blog interprets economics research findings on energy and environment.

Fingers touching

The Aalto Formula

The unique combination of art, technology and business provides the perfect platform for innovation.

Kuva maljapallosta.

TUNTO2 Blogi

Tämä on TUNTO2- tutkimusprojektin blogi. Hankkeessa tutkitaan tunnetoimijuutta strategian toteuttamisessa.

Illustration of person standing on earth using a phone

Thinking Spatially

Exploring the science behind spatial thinking in natural and built environments.

Cloud icon branching to other tech related icons

Cloud Computing at Aalto University

Sharing experiences and learnings about Cloud Computing in Research and Teaching at Aalto University

MASSE Blog

Yksilöllistä huolenpitoa massatuotannon tehokkuudella.

Kuvassa suuri valkoinen Aalto-yliopiston logo on punatiilisen kookkaan rakennuksen edessä portailla.

Puheenvuoroja – Opinions

Blogissa tutkijamme ottavat kantaa ajankohtaisiin aiheisiin.
In this blog, our researchers from bring new perspectives to current issues.

Penguins in front of SA Agulhas II

Kohti Etelämannerta

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

Aalto University at Slush 2021

Aalto University, The Startup Springboard

Aalto's energetic entrepreneurial community is an eclectic mix of student-led buzz and the university's own innovation and startup hubs.