
The exquisite aesthetic highlights of life are at best truly powerful and life-enriching, but they function strongly from the basis of and in relation to those more mundane experiences that reflect and mould one’s sensitivities on a daily basis.
Curriculum Vitae
Full name and personal information
Lehtinen, Sanna Tuulia
Year and place of birth, current residence
1981, born in Tampere, Finland
Lives in Helsinki, Finland
Education and degrees awarded
Docent in Aesthetics, University of Helsinki, 2021
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Helsinki, Aesthetics, 22.12.2015, PhD dissertation: Excursions into Everyday Spaces – Mapping Aesthetic Potentiality of Urban Environments through Preaesthetic Sensitivities. Supervisor: Prof. Arto Haapala, University of Helsinki; Pre-examiners: Prof. Andrew Ballantyne, Newcastle University & Univ.-Doz. DDr. Mădălina Diaconu, University of Vienna; Opponent: Prof. Andrew Ballantyne, Newcastle University; Dissertation downloaded 5551 times, citations: 10 (Google Scholar)
Master of Arts (MA), University of Helsinki, Aesthetics; Art History, 2007
Erasmus exchange, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy, 2004–05
Other education and training, qualifications and skills
University pedagogical training (30cr), University of Helsinki, 2017–20
Research Management & Leadership study module (25cr; Tutkintojohtamisen opintokokonaisuus TUJO), Higher Education Governance and Management Department HEGOM, University of Helsinki, 2014
Language skills
Finnish (mother tongue), English C2, Swedish C1
French B2 (reading: C1), Italian B1, Spanish B1
Latin A2, Portuguese A2
Current positions
Senior University Lecturer in History and Theory of Contemporary Art, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Transdisciplinary Art Studies unit (TAITE)/ Dept. of Art and Media
Visiting Lecturer, University of Helsinki, 06/2020–
Previous work experience and career breaks
Research Fellow, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Transdisciplinary Art Studies unit (TAITE) 08/2020–05/2024
Postdoctoral Research Fellow (PI), University of Helsinki, Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science HELSUS/Faculty of Arts 06/2018–05/2020, project: “Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Transformations: Intergenerational Perspective to Creating Experiential Value”
Visiting Lecturer, Aalto University (School of Art, Design and Architecture; School of Science; BA, MA, MSc and PhD level teaching and supervising), 04/2015–07/2020
Member in the research project ”Urban Aesthetics in Motion: Bridging the Gap Between Philosophical Aesthetics and Urban Mobility Futures (UrAMo)” (University of Helsinki & Aalto University), 08/2016–12/2019
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki, Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies 06/2016–05/2018, personal grant from Finnish Cultural Foundation via PoDoCo program 06/2017–05/2018), research project done in collaboration with Architects Davidsson Tarkela
Curatorial work: ”México – Fotografía finlandesa en Reforma”, photography exhibition in Las Rejas de Chapultepec en Paseo de la Reforma open air exhibition space, Finland100 collaboration with the Embassy of Finland in Mexico, 18.12.2017–26.1.2018
Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki, grant from Emil Aaltonen Foundation, 06/2016–05/2017
Independent Consultant 2015–17: urban aesthetics, urban development (client: Lemminkäinen Talo Oy)
Maternity & parental leave 02/2015–05/2016
Maternity leave & parental leave 11/2011–12/2012
Doctoral Student, International Institute of Applied Aesthetics (IIAA), University of Helsinki 2010–14
Planning Officer, International Institute of Applied Aesthetics (IIAA), University of Helsinki 2010
Curator (focus on contemporary art), Amos Anderson Art Museum, Helsinki, Finland 2008–09, Responsibility over the following exhibitions:
Two Faces of the Modern, 29.5.2009–20.9.2010 (with Timo Valjakka)
Ars Fennica 2008, 3.10.–16.11.2008
SPLÄTSH! The Extensions of Water Colour, 13.6.–14.9.2008
Research funding, leadership & supervision
2019, Wihuri Foundation, research project funding (collaborative project “Environmental Aesthetics in Turmoil”), together with Dr. Jukka Mikkonen, 30.000 €
2018, University of Helsinki, research project funding (Faculty of Arts/HELSUS), 117.000€
2016–18, Nessling Foundation, Nessling Nest workspace grant, 2 years
2016, Finnish Cultural Foundation, funding for postdoctoral research project and research collaboration with Architects Davidsson Tarkela, PoDoCo Program, 28.000€
2016, Emil Aaltonen Foundation, funding for postdoctoral research project, 31.500€
2009, Finnish Cultural Foundation, funding for doctoral research, 28.000€
International travel grants
2017, Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA 500$
2016, International Association of Aesthetics, 500$
2014, Centre franco-norvégien en sciences sociales et humaines, Paris, France, 600€
2013, International Association of Aesthetics, 500$
Supervisor for 2 doctoral students at the University of Helsinki:
MA David Flood: "Coded Space: Digital Visual Representations and the Remaking of Urban Publics", DENVI Doctoral Programme (urban geography), 05/2020–
MA Noora Korpelainen: “Aesthetic Sensibility in the Era of Environmental Change” in Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences DENVI Doctoral Programme (aesthetics), 08/2019–
MA Henrik Pathirane: ”Hermeneutics, Life, and Communities: The Everyday Urban Experience”, Aesthetics, 09/2018–
Advisor for 3 doctoral students at Aalto University, School of Art, Design and Architecture
MFA Hanna Timonen: “Seriality, the Everyday and Vernacular Attitude” (Dept. of Media), 01/2020–
MFA Jaana Okulov (ent. Ristola): “Subjectivity Patterns of Multimodal Experience: Computational Approaches to Aesthetics” (Dept. of Art), 05/2019–
MSc Merja Salonen: ”Noisy Knowledge: Art-activism in Social Media as a Trigger for Corporate Knowledge Building” (Dept. of New Media), 05/2017– (process on hold)
Master’s level supervision
Jalmari Sarla, Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning (USP), Univ. of Helsinki, 11/2021
Jaakko Saraste, Dept. of Architecture, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture
Emmi Turkki, Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning (USP), Univ. of Helsinki, 11/2021
Kamilla Kuna, Master's Programme in Urban Studies and Planning (USP), Univ. of Helsinki, 11/2021
Commissioned MA thesis, Aesthetics, Univ. of Helsinki, 08/2020– (thesis made in collaboration with Art Committee/Taidetoimikunta of the HUS Helsinki University Hospital)
Suvituuli Saari, Dept. of Film, Television and Scenography, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 5/2020
Liinu Kivioja: ”Kivijalka ja kaupunkilainen: Kivijalkatilat osana helsinkiläistä arkimaisemaa” (Title in English ”Brownstone and the Urban Citizen: Brownstone Spaces as Part of the Everyday Urban Landscape in Helsinki) Spatial Planning, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 09/2018
Sanna-Susanna Östman: ”Ekologisesti ennallistava ympäristötaide” (Title in English: Ecologically Restorative Environmental Art), Environmental Ecology, University of Helsinki, 05/2015
Merits in teaching and pedagogical competence (selection)
Pedagogical training: University Pedagogy 30cr, HYPE, University of Helsinki, 2017–20
“Ympäristöestetiikan perusteet” (“Foundations for Environmental Aesthetics”), compulsory BA level course, Faculty of Arts, Univ. of Helsinki, curriculum planning and implementation 02/2019–
”Aesthetics” (3cr), Master’s Programme in Information Networks, Aalto University, School of Science (annual lecture series): curriculum planning and implementation 01/2017–
”Seminar of Environmental Aesthetics, Art and Thinking” (3cr), Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture (annual seminar): curriculum planning and implementation 09/2016–
”Ajatus” (aesthetics) (2cr), compulsory BA level art studies, Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture: curriculum planning and implementation, 11/2015–
”Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art for Doctoral Students” (6cr), Aalto University, School of Arts, Design and Architecture: curriculum planning and implementation, 2017–2019
”Tilakokemuksen estetiikkaa” (5cr), University of Helsinki, (lecture series): curriculum planning and implementation, 03–05/2016
”Ympäristöestetiikka” (5cr), University of Helsinki Open University (online course): implementation 01–03/2016
”Johdatus ympäristöestetiikkaan”, Monitieteisiin ympäristötutkimus – tieteenalojen näkökulmia ympäristökysymyksiin (MYT), Helsinki University Centre for Environment HENVI (”Introduction to Environmental Aesthetics” annual lecture, BA level), 2014–
Awards, prizes and honours
University of Helsinki Funds, City of Lahti Funds, award for postdoctoral work, 2018, 2.000€
Young Scholar Award, International Association of Aesthetics (IAA), 2013
Other academic merits (past 5 years)
Reviewing and scientific advisory activity
Executive Editor, Journal of Comparative Literature and Aesthetics (2021–, with Dr. Ryan Wittingslow, Groeningen University)
Member of the Editorial Board, Journal of Ecohumanism, 2021–
Member of the Editorial Board, ESPES, 2020–
Member of the Editorial Board, The Nordic Journal of Aesthetics, 2017–
Reviewer, Aesthetic Investigations, 2021
Examiner, Master’s thesis, Sebastian Högnabba: ”Aesthetics-Driven Design of Facade-Integrated Photovoltaic Glass Panels for the Urban Environment”, Master's Programme in Collaborative and Industrial Design, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 04/2021
Reviewer, The Journal of Somaesthetics, 2020
Reviewer, Nordic Association of Architectural Research (NAAR/NAF), 2020
Reviewer, Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 2020
Reviewer, Open Philosophy 2018, 2019
Reviewer, National Science Center Poland, 2019
Pre-selection Jury Member, Vuoden Tiedekynä Academic Writing Award, Kone Foundation, 2019
Reviewer, NSU Nordic Summer University Proceedings Publication 2018
Jury member, International Aesthetics Article of the Year Award, Finnish Society for Aesthetics, 2017
Reviewer, Popular Inquiry – The Journal of the Aesthetics of Kitsch, Camp and Mass Culture 2017
Reviewer, Estetika – The Central European Journal of Aesthetics 2017
Examiner, Master’s thesis, Heli Keski-Huikku: ”Radikaali maaseututaiteen kaipuu” (title in English: Radical Yearning for Rural Art), ViCCA Master’s Programme for Visual Culture and Contemporary Art, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 05/2015
Current roles in scientific organizations
Philosophy of the City Research Group, Codirector 2019–
Finnish Society for Aesthetics, President 2019–
International Association of Aesthetics (IAA), Member of the Executive Board 2019–
4TU – Centre for Ethics and Technology, Affiliate Member 2019–
Nordic Society for Aesthetics (NSE), Treasurer 2019–
American Society for Aesthetics (ASA), International Member 2019–
Nordic Journal of Aesthetics (NJA), Member of the Editorial Board 2018–
American Philosophical Association (APA), International Member 2018–
Architectural Humanities Research Association (AHRA), Member 2018–
Nordic Network of Women in Aesthetics (NNWA), Invited Member 2017–
SIRENE – Interdisciplinary Network of Environmental and Sustainability Education Research, Invited Member 2016–
Honorary roles
Member of the Scientific Committee, "Contemporary Aesthetics: Dialogues through Art, Culture and Media", International Congress of Aesthetics ICA2022, Belo Horizonte, Brasil, 25.–29.7.2022
Member of the Honorary Scientific Committee, 8th Mediterranean Congress of Aesthetics: “Aesthetics of the everyday life in contemporary cities”, Hellenic Society for Aesthetics, online/Delphi, Greece, 9.–11.9.2021
Scientific and societal impact of research
Invited talks
“Redefining Urban Aesthetics with the Concept of Aesthetic Sustainability”, HELSUS Brown Bag Lunch, HELSUS Hub, University of Helsinki, Finland, 25.10.2019 (HELSUS fellows talks series)
”Aesthetic Sustainability”, NODUS Design Talk Series, Design Museum, Helsinki, Finland 19.9.2019 (invited keynote speaker together with NEMO Architects)
“Ympäristöestetiikka ja elinympäristön koettu laatu” (title in English: Environmental Aesthetics and the Experienced Quality of the Lived Environment), Alueidenkäytön neuvottelupäivät 2019, Merikeskus Wellamo, Kotka, Finland 3.9.2019 (invited keynote speaker)
“Urban Everyday Aesthetics”, Design for Social Innovation DESIS Philosophy Talks Session at Polytechnic University of Milan, Italy 5.7.2019 (invited keynote speaker)
“Urban Aesthetics: Conceptualizing the Lived Quality of Urban Environments” (video link) Measuring Sense of Space: What, Why and How?, Spin Unit & University of Helsinki, Think Corner, Helsinki, Finland 15.1.2019 (invited keynote speaker)
“Built Beyond Comprehension: Urban Complexity as an Aesthetic Issue”, American Philosophical Association APA Eastern Meeting, New York City, 7.1.2019 (invited paper in a panel by the Philosophy of the City Research Group)
“Taiteilija ja kaupunki: Näkökulmia kaupunkiestetiikan tutkimuksesta” (title in English: Artist and the City: Perspectives from the Study of Urban Aesthetics), Taidekoulu Maa, HAM Corner, 4.10.2018 (invited keynote speaker)
”Rumat Laatikot? -keskustelutilaisuus nykyarkkitehtuurista” (title in English: Ugly boxes? Discussion event on contemporary architecture), panel discussion organized by Hesa-SAFA, Konepaja Bruno Helsinki, 2.10.2018 (invited panelist)
”Kaupunkiteknologiat ja arkikokemuksen kerrostuneisuus” (title in English: Urban technologies and the Layeredness of the Everyday Experience), International Institute of Applied Aesthetics, IIAA Autumn Seminar) Lahti, Finland, 20.9.2019 (invited speaker)
“Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Transformations: Temporal Perspectives to Understanding Experiential Value”, Nordic Network for Women in Aesthetics (NNWA) Inaugural Workshop, Uppsala University, Sweden, 2.5.2018 (invited keynote speaker)
“Aesthetics of New Urban Technologies: Towards Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Environments”, Forum for Theory of Science (Vitenskapsteoretisk Forum), NTNU, Trondheim, Norway, 17.4.2018 (invited keynote speaker)
“Food for Thought in Circularity”, dinner & conversation organised by The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, 29.11.2017 (invited guest)
Conference presentations (selection)
“Intergenerational Urban Aesthetics”, 4TU.Ethics Biannual conference, TU Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 7.11.2019 (paper)
“Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Environments”, American Society for Aesthetics Annual Meeting ASA2019, Phoenix, Arizona, United States, 12.10.2019 (paper in an invited panel)
“Intergenerational Urban Aesthetics: Sustainable Directions for Envisioning Urban Futures”, Philosophy of the City Conference, University of Detroit Mercy, 4.10.2019 (paper)
“Urban Aesthetics: Conceptualizing the Lived Quality of Urban Environments”, Plannord2019, NTNU, Ås & Oscarsborg, Norway, 22.8.2019 (paper & track chair)
“Built Beyond Comprehension: Urban Complexity as an Aesthetic Issue”, American Philosophical Association Annual Meeting APA2019, New York City, USA, 7.1.2019 (paper in a panel organized by the Philosophy of the City Research Group)
“Intergenerational Ethics as the Basis for a Comprehensive Model of Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Environments”, "Science, Technology and the Future Generations: The 11th International Conference on Applied Ethics", Kyoto University, 16.12.2018 (paper)
“Aesthetic Perspectives to Urban Technologies: Outlining the Experiential Sustainability of Smart City Solutions”, Smartness? Between Discourse and Practice: 15th Architectural Humanities Research Association International Conference, TU Eindhoven, 16.11.2018 (paper with MA Vesa Vihanninjoki, Univ. of Helsinki)
“Everyday Aesthetics and Engagement with Technology”, Human-Technology Relations: Postphenomenology and Philosophy of Technology (PHTR2018), DesignLab, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, 12.7.2018 (paper)
“Aesthetic Perspectives to New Urban Technologies – Conceptualizing and Evaluating the Technology-Driven Changes in the Urban Experience”, Philosophy of the City Summer Colloquium, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands, 13.6.2018 (paper)
“Urban Complexity as an Aesthetic Issue”, Nordic Society for Aesthetics Annual Conference: “Conflicts – Antagonisms, Agonies, Affects”, Paris, France, 30.5.2018 (paper in a panel on “Urban Aesthetics”, also organizing the panel)
“Introducing Aesthetic Sustainability”, Seminar & workshop Moving from Landscapes to Cityscapes and Back: Theoretical and Applied Approaches to Human Environments in Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan – Institute of European Culture in Gniezno, Poland, 18.5.2018 (paper)
“Sustainable Urban Aesthetics: Focus on Materials”, First Global Radical Relevances Conference at Aalto University, Finland, 27.4.2018 (paper)
“Aesthetic Perspectives to Creating Smart Urban Sustainability”, Architectural Research Days (Atut2017), University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland 30.11.2017 (paper)
“Creating Aesthetic Sustainability in Urban Environments”, Philosophy of the City, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal 11.10.2017 (paper in a panel discussion)
“Changing Character of Public Art in the Urban Sphere”, Arts in the Environment: Nordic Symposium, Helsinki, Finland 2.9.2017 (paper)
“Urban Aesthetics and Intergenerational Ethics”, Nordic Association of Architectural Research Symposium 2017: Reflecting Histories and Directing Futures, Oslo, Norway 16.6.2017 (paper)
“From Aesthetic Values to Aesthetic Sustainability: An Applied Approach”, IIAA2017 Considerations in Urban Aesthetics: Planning, Mobilities, and Everyday Life, Lahti & Helsinki, Finland 2.6.2017 (paper)
Science communication and expert assignments in the media
“A specialist in urban aesthetics wants to turn the city into a living room for all”, University of Helsinki, 2.3.2020
Interview with The Urban Futures Podcast, interviewer Ana Jones, forthcoming in 2020
“Erilaisuus kukkimaan”, interview in Vuokranantaja Magazine of The Finnish Landlord Association (in Finnish; Title in English: Let Diversity Flourish), 11/2019
Participation in the Built Environment Science Slam (RYTS Science Slam 2019) with a 6-minute presentation “Kaupungin muuttuva kauneus” (in Finnish; Title in English: Changing Beauty of the City), Helsinki, Finland, 23.10.2019
“Useita Jenny ja Antti Wihurin rahaston apurahoja Etelä-Savoon” (in English: Several Wihuri Foundation grants awarded to Southern Savo”, Yle.fi, 11.10.2019; Mention in web based media
“Kohti esteettisesti kestäviä kaupunkiympäristöjä”, interview with Ilmari Pirkkamaa, Lahti University Campus (in Finnish, Title in English: Towards Aesthetically Sustainable Urban Environments), 18.9.2019
”Kaupunkiestetiikka”, guest in Ajatuksia kaupungista -podcast (season 2, episode 6; in Finnish; Title in English: Urban Aesthetics), 7.11.2019
”Helsingin yliopiston Lahden rahasto jakoi apurahoja – buustia alueen kehittämiseen”, Lahti University Campus news (interview in Finnish), 13.4.2018
Commentator in Hanna Syrjälä’s column "Miksi monen kunnan keskusta on silmiä särkevän ruma? Ne voisivat ottaa mallia karheankauniista Karkkilasta", Helsingin Sanomat 8.10.2017
”Vaate tilana – Keskustelua pukeutumisvalinnoista” Helsinki Design Week / Arela Oy, Galleria Forum Box; Invited panelist in a panel discussion on “Clothing as Space/Clothing Choices”, 9.9.2016
“Hotelli, ravintola, toimistoja? VR:n muutto avaa rautatieaseman itäsiiven uusille toimijoille”, Kommentti YLE Uutisille, 15.12.2015; Participation in interview for web based media
Yle Uutiset Uusimaa, 25.11.2015; Participation in TV programme
Yle Uutiset Uusimaa, 25.11.2015; Participation in radio programme
“Tutkija ei tyrmää hampurilaisravintolaa historiallisessa ympäristössä”, YLE Uutiset, 25.11.2015; Feature interview for web based media
Hosting research visits
01–03/2020 Postdoctoral Researcher Mami Aota, The University of Tokyo (Todai)
07/2018 Prof. Andrew Light, George Mason University/World Resources Organization (WRO) (organized also funding for the visit from Maj & Tor Nessling Foundation)
Organising conferences & seminars (selection)
Philosophy of the City Summer Colloquium: Everyday Life and the City, Warsaw Academy of Fine Arts, Warsaw, Poland, 15.–17.6.2020 (role: member of the organizing committee)
“Track 2: Enhancing Livability in Urban Areas”, Plannord 2019 The 9th Nordic Planning Research Symposium, conference track of 20 papers, co-organizer: Assoc. Prof. Harpa Stefansdottir (The Norwegian University of Life Sciences NMBU, Department of Urban and Regional Planning), NMBU, Ås campus & Oscarsborg, Norway 21.–23.8.2019
“Shared Urban Imaginaries: Art, Research and the City: Prospects for collaboration in the fields of art & art/istic research” (“Taidehautomo”), 1st official joint workshop by Univ. of Helsinki, Aalto Univ., and Univ. of the Arts, Kone Foundation Lauttasaari Manor 8.–9.8.2019 (role: main organizer)
Philosophy of the City Summer Colloquium: Urban Aesthetics, University of Helsinki, Philosophy of the City Research Group & International Institute of Applied Aesthetics (IIAA), University of Helsinki, Lahti/Helsinki 17.–19.6.2019 (role: main organizer)
Margins, Futures, and Tasks of Aesthetics. International Association of Aesthetics Interim Meeting. Aalto University, Espoo, Finland 5.–7.7.2018 (role: organizer of a track on Environmental Aesthetics, invited speaker Prof. Andrew Light)
Philosophy of the City Summer Colloquium: Technology & the City, 11.–13.6.2018, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands (role: member of the program committee)
Kiertotaloustapaaminen kaupunkiviljelyn tulevaisuudesta, The Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra & Nessling Nest, Helsinki, Finland 9.1.2018 (role: organizer)
Art, Aesthetics, and the Future of City Life East/West. International conference. Marquette University, Milwaukee, USA 5.–7.4.2017 (role: responsible for organizing the speaker on architecture: Esa Laaksonen, Alvar Aalto Academy)