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Aalto University Magazine
Aalto University's stakeholder magazine focuses on science and art, technology and business 鈥 we describe how they converge and write about the people behind our stories.
Aalto University Magazine (AUM) is mailed to Aalto alumni community members and other stakeholders who have subscribed to it. You can also pick up a printed copy on campus.
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Facsimile copy of the latest issue
A selection of Aalto University Magazine articles
Meet-up: Nice to meet you, Anna Marushchak!
The Aalto scholarship programme made it possible for this Ukrainian who fled the war to study at the School of Business.
Everyday choices: Viktar Asadchy, how do you control light?
This Associate Professor of Electromagnetics manipulates and directs light with materials.
ESA funding for the space business
The European Space Agency鈥檚 new innovation programme in Otaniemi helps Finnish companies commercialise inventions, leverage satellite data and strengthen their position in the industry.
What windows does the Nokia Design Archive open?
Early this year, news spread worldwide about the opening of Nokia鈥檚 design history at Aalto University 鈥 an extraordinary collection in both its richness and authenticity. The materials offer unique opportunities for research across various academic disciplines.Each issue has its theme presented by the main story
How does trust occur in our networked everyday lives? What happens when we exceed the limits of the body? What is wise failure like? We have covered these themes in the issues of Aalto University Magazine. In the main story, the reader is introduced to the theme of the magazine by an interesting group of experts from different fields.
The weight of water 鈥 Finland is a powerhouse in water diplomacy
Experts explain how the scarcity of water impacts both global politics and the economy
Human, animal, machine: How three researchers reveal the dynamics of power across disciplines
Whenever humans interact 鈥 with other humans, animals or technology 鈥 there are always power dynamics at play. Three researchers from different disciplines explain how they bring to light the hidden ways power is used in human interactions.
The world鈥檚 lightest revolution
Green hydrogen promises to turn Europe into an energy heavyweight, make traffic emission-free and replace carbon in steel manufacturing. But can it actually deliver 鈥 and how?
Urban planning in an intersection of a thousand wishes
How can we make a city flourish when one resident hopes for more forests and another wants parking lots? Data and keen listening can help, say urban planners and researchers.
Artificial intelligence to assist the brain
Neuroscience and neurotechnology are gaining a fresh ally in the form of artificial intelligence, which can assess dementia risk and enhance the effectiveness of depression treatments.
Aalto鈥檚 alumni tell their career stories
Every year, 2 000 students graduate from Aalto University. Where do they end up in their careers? In each issue of the magazine, we interview an interesting alumnus/alumna who tells, 鈥榟ow I became me鈥.
Alum Salla Vainio: An exceptional generalist
Little did a young business student know that the most valuable lessons of her career wouldn鈥檛 come from lectures but from student union work. Over the years, Salla Vainio has found herself in many extraordinary situations in leadership roles around the world.
Echoing a kindred spirit from a century past
Counsellor of Education Alma Muukka-Marjovuo grew up surrounded by art. Now she works to ensure that all children and young people in Finland have access to top-notch art education.
Returning to the roots
Arnevi Rautanen and Juha Utriainen gave up their careers to take up farming in the village of Joroinen in Eastern Finland. At their family farm, values are more than just empty words 鈥 they are principles that the couple lives by every day.
Alum Maija Jokela鈥檚 work is displayed around town
The construction industry is more diverse than its reputation, realised Ramboll Finland鈥檚 Managing Director Maija Jokela during her first summer job.
Designer Lincoln Kayiwa wants to create heirlooms
Finland seemed a bit like destiny for this Ugandan-born entrepreneur and Aalto alumnus.
On the go
Our feature story takes you on a journey.
The ice whisperers
Professor Jukka Tuhkuri studies ice in Otaniemi and around the world. Ice has fundamentally changed 鈥 we鈥檝e messed up, he says. Now we need to understand what that means for humanity.
A deep dive into radical creativity
Aalto University has produced a film to highlight its creative culture.
A human-friendly, giant insect hotel emerged in the middle of the city
Alusta, built from clay and populated by plants, is a sanctuary for pollinators and a meeting place for all living things
A lighter path to exercise
The psychology of motivation coupled with mixed reality games can get kids moving
Researchers develop the perfect recycled fertilizer for forests - saves 88% of energy normally used but still not legal
Finnish forests are typically nourished with fertilisers containing energy-intensive nitrogen and phosphorous mined in Morocco. Researchers have now developed an ecological alternative with ingredients sourced from a waste processing plant. It is good for forests and the environment 鈥 but legislation has to change first.
Anything but an ordinary greenhouse
A wood-structured windowless greenhouse consumes only half as much energy as a traditional glass greenhouse. In addition to producing food, Pasi Herranen鈥檚 invention could generate electricity and excess heat in the future.
Everyday choices
This column focuses on the personal choices experts make related to their field of research.
Everyday choices: Viktar Asadchy, how do you control light?
This Associate Professor of Electromagnetics manipulates and directs light with materials.
Everyday choices: Kristjana Adalgeirsd贸ttir, what does an architect do in a war zone?
This doctoral researcher responds to the need for a home, not just a shelter 鈥 amid the most complex humanitarian crises.
Everyday choices: Ken Dooley, what makes a building smart?
This professor of practice wants to solve frustrating problems with simple tools.
Everyday choices: Russell Lai, what do swordsmanship and cryptography have in common?
Assistant Professor Russell Lai wields mathematical symbols and German longswords.
Everyday choices: Eliisa Lotsari, do you ever go ice swimming?
This academy research fellow and assistant professor delights in cold water, both in nature and in the lab.
This is how science can revolutionize our daily lives
The science stories shed light on current top-level research at Aalto.
Wool electronics and orange peel clothing being created in Bioinnovation Center
Doctoral researchers at Aalto University Bioinnovation Center discuss accelerating the sustainable bioeconomy, the importance of collaboration and bold entrepreneurial dreams.
Unravelling the mysteries of space
Located in Kirkkonummi, southern Finland, Mets盲hovi Radio Observatory collects information on the Sun, quasars, and black holes, while training space scientists of the future.
Avatars and genuine interaction
Aalto University鈥檚 researchers are contributing to the creation of redesigned maternity and child health clinics and positive childbirth experiences in their research projects. The visions seize the potential of technology, such as childbirth simulation in a 3D-video conference using an avatar, a virtual character. On the other hand, the researchers would also like to hold on to the best practices from the past, such as the traditional child health clinic card, genuine human interaction and the rotina tradition, visits by family and close-ones to meet the newborn and bring foods as a gift.
Smart buildings make life easier and use less energy
In a smart building, the lighting system learns how occupants move throughout the building, transport robots talk to lifts, and users are guided to available workspaces by a mobile app. A new doctoral school at Aalto University is set to boost development in the field of smart buildings.
Quantum literacy for all
What do computers, cell phones and GPS navigation have in common? And what about digital cameras, solar panels and fibre optics? The answer is that the functioning of these devices is based on quantum phenomena.
Creating zero-energy houses, non-toxic glitter and fossil-free glue with wood
Building wisely with wood is an efficient way to combat climate change. It鈥檚 possible to build almost anything with wood if we develop our expertise and adjust our attitudes, an expert says.
Two experts, the same object of passion
Sharing the interest makes a good conversation.
Threads of tomorrow 鈥 textiles that react to light and heat
A joint Nordic project is developing light- and heat-reactive textiles. In the future, curtains will regulate room temperature, clothing will help monitor blood pressure, and cotton will clean itself in sunlight.
Dialogue: Let鈥檚 make resilience a community resource 鈥 not an individual obligation
Is there any skill more important in today鈥檚 work world than the ability to cope during challenging times and bounce back quickly?
Art challenges established truths in the health and social sectors
Professor Susanna Helke looks at health and social services through the lens of a filmmaker, Laura Arpiainen as an architect and professor. Both are concerned about the crisis in the care sector in Finland.
Launching autonomous vessels in our waters
In years to come, autonomous ships could reshape the entire maritime industry, say marine technology experts Mashrura Musharraf and Sauli Eloranta.
Women's networks build on many strengths, from having a clear focus to an absence of masculine energy
A professor and an entrepreneur talk about what women's networks can offer: inspiration and advice, peer support, and even help landing a new job.
Insulation from old jeans, walls from waste concrete 鈥 less guilt and more solutions are needed for construction
The biggest environmental act would be not building at all. But a circular economy can also mitigate the environmental impact of construction.
Parallel paths: Designer and materials scientist conjure up glimmering colours out of wood
Designer Noora Yau and materials scientist Konrad Klockars have used wood to conjure up a colour, which is transparent yet glows like a copepod in shallow water. The pair鈥檚 good chemistry and open attitude towards asking silly questions is a great help in their work.
Themes and published issues
35 , May 2025
34 , September 2024
33 , September 2023
32 , April 2023
31 , October 2022
30 , April 2022
29 , October 2021
28 , April 2021
27 , October 2020
26 , April 2020
25 , October 2019
24 , April 2019
23 , October 2018
22 , April 2018
21 , January 2018
20 , October 2017
19 , April 2017
18 , December 2016
17 , October 2016 (in Finnish only)
16 , May 2016
15 , December 2015
14 , October 2015
13 , May 2015
12 , December 2014
11 , October 2014
10 , March 2014
09 , December 2013
08 , October 2013
07 , May 2013
06 , March 2013
05 , December 2012
04 , October 2012
03 , May 2012
02 , February 2012
01 , October 2011
More info & contact details
Aalto University, Communications
PO Box 11000, FI-00076 AALTO
magazine@aalto.fi
Editor-in-chief
Communications manager
Anitta Pirnes
anitta.pirnes@aalto.fi
tel. +358 50 564 4028
Managing editor
Paula Haikarainen
paula.haikarainen@aalto.fi
tel +358 50 314 1545
AD & photo editing
dog@dogdesign.fi
Illustration & photos
Students and alumni of Aalto University
Change of address by email: crm-support@aalto.fi
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Finnish edition 27 000 copies,
English edition 3 000 copies
ISSN 2489-6772 (print)
ISSN 2489-6780 (online)