Minna Halme: At first, sustainability wasn’t taken seriously
'I was told to do a doctoral thesis on a different topic if I want a job in the future.'
Panu Savolainen: I wish we would have a day when we remove the power dynamics completely
In this Walk in my shoes video, Assistant Professor of History of Architecture and Architectural Conservation Panu Savolainen wishes there were days when we’d change or remove power structures completely to make space for a greater sense of equality within the Aalto community.
Interview: Emilia Hernesniemi
Cinematography: Iiris Sjöblad
Editing: Eero Tiilikainen
Watch more videos:
Saban Ramadani: Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?
‘When you are expected to come up with something quickly, for instance, in visual arts, is the purpose itself lost in the creative process? Is it radical to create a rocket in a week?’
Maarit Korpi-Lagg: I have so few female colleagues that sometimes it’s difficult to maintain self-esteem
'Both in physics and computer science there are very few female researchers and professors. Last year we had a celebration because the first female student passed my course. It was a big thing for me.'
Walk in my shoes
Inspired by the saying that you should walk a mile in someone’s shoes to understand them, the ‘Walk in my shoes’ series aims to share some of the experiences, thoughts, perspectives and challenges faced by members of the Aalto community.
Read more news
The semiconductor sector jobs open in research groups
Semi-Summer 2026 programme will provide an opportunity to gain the skills needed in a growing and international semiconductor sector.
Start the year with new insights – apply for FITech's spring courses!
Deepen your knowledge with courses from Finnish universities of technology, designed to meet the demands of the working life and help deepen your expertise for free.
Growing Materials, Growing Ideas: Inside the BioMaker Studio
At Aalto University’s BioMaker Studio, initiated by Ena Naito, students and researchers experiment with living materials, from algae to mycelium, creating an open, interdisciplinary space where design, biology, and collaboration grow together.