Teaching & Supervision

I advise currently five doctoral students (four at Aalto University and one at the University of Helsinki). Four of my previous advisees defended their doctoral dissertations successfully in 2024 and 2026. Since 2020, I have supervised 20 Master's theses at Aalto University in various programmes, 4 in Urban Studies and Planning progamme at the University of Helsinki, and in Sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts (University of the Arts Helsinki). I teach 5–6 courses annually, ranging from Theory of Contemporary Art Practices to Technology, Tools and the Human Agency. I teach students at all study levels (Bachelor's/Master's/Doctoral), in small seminars, mass lectures, and everything in between. As part of my academic training, I have studied University Pedagogy (35 ECTS) and Research Leadership and Management (25 ECTS) extensively. 

Opponent in a Doctoral Defence (public examination of a doctoral dissertation)

• Sari Suomalainen: Urban Open Spaces for Sustainability Transformation — Capturing Citizens’ Perceptions with Arts-based Methods, Doctoral degree in Sustainability Science, LUT University, 11/2025

Doctoral dissertation pre-examination

• Matteo Savoldelli, Aesthetics within the Storm: A Critical Compass to Contemporary Ecological Sensibility,Doctoral degree in Philosophy, Ca’ Foscari University, Venice, Italy, 2025

• Enrico Chinellato, Artistic Practices and City Transformations: How City Changes Impacts the Logic and Modes of Urban Artistic Practice, Doctoral degree in Architecture and Design Cultures, University of Bologna, Italy, 2024

• DSc Iida Kalakoski, Too Much to Handle: Architectural Conservation in the Widening Scope of Heritage, Doctoral degree in Architecture, Univ. of Tampere, Finland, 2023

• PhD Aleksi Lohtaja, Architecture as Spatial Configuration of Politics,Doctoral degree in Cultural Policy, Univ. of Jyväskylä, Finland 2022Completed doctoral supervision

Completed doctoral supervision

• MA David Flood: "Being-with the Landscape: Understanding the Landscape through Image-making Practices", University of Helsinki, Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences DENVI (Urban Geography), 05/2020–08/2026

• MA Noora Korpelainen: "Aesthetic Sensibility in the Era of Global Environmental Change", University of Helsinki, Doctoral Programme in Interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences DENVI (Aesthetics), 08/2019–08/2026

• MFA Jaana Okulov: “Quantifying Qualia: Aesthetic Machine Attention in Resisting the Objectifying Tendency of Thought”, Aalto University Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Art & Media (Art), 05/2019–04/2024

• MFA Hanna Timonen: "Ordering the Everyday: Serial photography, repetition and everyday acts", Aalto University Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Art & Media (Photography), 01/2020–02/2024

Doctoral supervision in progress

• MA Ida-Sofia Tuomisto, “Designing Inclusion through Dress: How Fashion Practices Foster Diversity” Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Design (Fashion), 08/2024–

• MsC Jere Pääkkönen, "Contemporary Dystopian Cinema as Architectural Critique Viewing and creating cinematic environments as commentary on the current state of architecture and its possible future directions", Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 06/2023–

• MSc Iris Andersson, "The Anatomy of Safe Space", Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 01/2023–

• MA Cvijeta Miljak: “VRtualising exhibitions: In search of novel engagement approaches in experimental museology”, Aalto University Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Art & Media (New Media), 01/2023–

• MA Henrik Pathirane: "Hermeneutics, Life and Communities: The Everyday Urban Experience", University of Helsinki, Doctoral Programme in Philosophy, Arts, and Society (Aesthetics), 08/2018–

Paused or discontinued doctoral supervision

• MSc Joona Hulmi: "Resonance and Atmosphere: Notes on the Experience of Architecture and Temporality", Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 01/2022– (paused)

• MA Tom Lammi: "Time Matters. Phenomenological Perspectives on the Temporal Dimension in the Aesthetics of the Built Environment", University of Helsinki, Doctoral Programme in Philosophy, Arts, and Society (Aesthetics), 11/2020– (paused)

• MSc Merja Salonen: "Noisy Knowledge: Art-activism in Social Media as a Trigger for Corporate Knowledge Building", Aalto University Doctoral Programme in Arts, Design and Architecture, Dept. of Media (New Media), 12/2016–19 (discontinued)  

Member in Doctoral Committee

• MA Alonzo Heino, “Formed by Nature and Forming Nature – Reinterpreting the Techne–Nature Relation”, University of Helsinki

• MSc Kaisa Karvinen, University of Oulu

• MFA Anne Koskinen, “Zeitigung und Bilderzeugung: Philosophische Konzepte der Sinnstiftung für eine multimodale Werkästhetik”, University of Helsinki completed 09/2026

• PhD Raine Aiava, “Becoming-otherwise: Towards a politics of difference in nonrepresentational geographies of knowledge-making”, University of Helsinki, completed 01/2024

Master’s level supervision

• Pili Valdivia: Waiting for Things, Waiting with Things: An Interpretative Analysis of the Technological Mediation of Waiting, Aalto University, Dept. of Art and Media (New Media), 2025

• Linda Valkama: Meaning in Architectural Heritage—Meaning through Change, Permanence and Intervention, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 2025

• Priss Niinikoski: Sonic Mediations, Academy of Fine Arts, The University of the Arts Helsinki, MFA (sculpture), 2024

• Alves Ludovico: Spaceways to Earthly Matter, Academy of Fine Arts, The University of the Arts Helsinki, MFA (sculpture), 2024

• Viola Schulman: Kick the Habit: Alternative Heritage Discourse Perspectives on Mass-Produced Heritage, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 2024

• Ville Kamppari: Aesthetics in the real estate investment decision-making processes, Aalto University School of Engineering, Dept. of Built Environment (Real Estate Economics), 2024

• Veera Kemppainen: Näkymättömän esittäminen visuaalisin keinoin, Aalto University, Dept of Art & Media (Visual Communication Design), 2024

• Laura Tuorila: Kaupunkiluonnon esteettinen potentiaali: Tapausesimerkkinä Helsingin Eteläsatama, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Landscape Architecture), 2023

• Ada Pärnänen: Are we on the same page? A Thesaurus in Leaving Marks Through Street Art, Aalto University, Dept. of Design (Creative Sustainability), 2023

• Ulla Eronen: Polyphonic frames for nature: Visualising the diverse of biodiversity loss, Aalto University, Dept. of Art and Media (Visual Communications Design), 2023

• Ronja Rajamäki: Urbaani villiys: Joutomaiden spontaani kasvillisuus osana esteettisesti monimuotoista kaupunkiluontoa, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Landscape Architecture), 2023

• Helmi Korhonen: Time Landscape: Exploring the Artistic, Urban, and Ecological Potential of a Living Monument – A Site-Specific Study in Manhattan, NYC, Aalto University, Dept. of Design (Creative Sustainability), 2023

• Amanda Halme: Millainen Nuottaniemi on? Aineeton kulttuuriperintö paikan tulkintaa ohjaavana työkaluna, Urban Studies & Planning (USP) Master's Programme, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Art, 2022

• Ella Müller: Out of sight, out of mind: Modern architecture and waste, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 02/2022

• Emmi Turkki: Urban meadows have landed in Finnish cities: an examination of how they are aesthetically and ecologically appreciated, Urban Studies & Planning (USP) Master's Programme, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science, 01/2022

• Kamilla Kūna: Aesthetics of Boredom in post-soviet neighborhoods. Multisensory experience of Laumas microdistrict in Liepaja, Latvia, Urban Studies & Planning (USP) Master's Programme, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Art, 01/2022

• Jalmari Sarla: Placemaking and suburban regeneration in Helsinki: ethnographic exploration into spatial and aesthetic experiences of public spaces in Malmi and Malminkartano, Urban Studies & Planning (USP) Master's Programme, University of Helsinki, Faculty of Science, 12/2021

• Jaakko Saraste: Täydellisyys – omakohtaisia esseitä arkkitehtuurista, Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Architecture), 12/2021

• Suvituuli Saari: Esteettisten päätösten teko Ella ja Paterock -musiikkinäytelmän lavastus- ja videosuunnittelussa (title in English "Ella and Paterock: The Making of Aesthetic Decisions in the scenography and videography of Ella and Paterock musical play"), Aalto University, Dept. of Film, Television and Scenography (Scenography), 05/2020

• 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] Aalto University, Dept. of Architecture (Spatial Planning), 09/2018 (Winner of the City of Helsinki thesis prize 2019)

• Sanna-Susanna Östman: Ekologisesti ennallistava ympäristötaide, University of Helsinki (Environmental Ecology), 2015

External reviewer for Master’s theses

• MA Michela Sammut, Hybrid Languages: Diagrammatic Thinking and Subjective Mapping for Negotiating Space & Identity, Aalto University, Dept. of Design, Visual Communications Design, 08/2024

• MFA Jere Vainio, Academy of Fine Arts Helsinki, University of the Arts Helsinki, Finland, 11/2022

• MSc Sebastian Högnabba, “Aesthetics-Driven Design of Facade-Integrated Photovoltaic Glass Panels for the Urban Environment”, Aalto University, Dept. of Design, Collaborative and Industrial Design, Reviewer and grading committee member for Master of Arts thesis, 04/2021

• MA Yachan Yuan, LET IT GROW: Immersive installation in relation to cultural expression and audiences' perceptual experience, Aalto University, Dept. of Design, Collaborative and Industrial Design, Reviewer and grading committee member for Master of Arts thesis, 05/2020

• MA Heli Keski-Huikku, Radikaali maaseututaiteen kaipuu, Aalto University, Dept. of Art, ViCCA Visual Culture and Contemporary Art, Reviewer and grading committee member for Master of Arts thesis, 05/2015

”The course introduced important subjects in relation to the field of Aesthetics, it was an introduction to many streams of thought that are going to be very important for my development. Although the teacher's knowledge of the topic was clearly vast, it has been a pleasure to see her way of interacting in the students discussions during the lectures.” (student feedback, 2019)

Annually recurring courses

• Technology, Tools and the Human Agency ARTS-A0633, elective master's level course, 6 ECTS, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2024–

• Environmental Thinking ARTS-A0622, elective master's level course, 6 ECTS, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2022–

• Theory of Contemporary Art Practices ARTS-A0123 / Taiteen nykykäytäntöjen teoria ARTS-A0122, compulsory Bachelor's level course, 1 course implementation in English and 2 in Finnish/year, 3 ECTS, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2020–

• Knowing Aesthetics (elective doctoral level seminar, 6 ECTS), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2020–22, 2023–24, 2025–26

Lecture visits

• Estetiikka ja kestävyys (Aesthetics and Sustainability), Johdatus kestävään suunnitteluun/Prof. Matti Kuittinen (Introduction to Sustainable Design course), Bachelor's Programme in Architecture, Aalto University, 2022–25

• Urban Aesthetics and Aesthetic Sustainability, Urban Design Thinking course/Prof. Karin Krokfors & Tommy Lindgren, Master's Programme in Architecture, Aalto University, 2020–24

• COSM3, Humak, 2020–24

• Role of Aesthetic Value in Real Estate Development, Real Estate Development course (REC-E3030)/Asst. Prof. Saija Toivonen, Master's Programme in Real Estate Economics, Aalto University School of Engineering, 26.1.2017 & 5.4.2021

• Urban Aesthetics, Fastighetsvetenskapliga seminarier (Real Estate Science Seminar), Lund Institute of Technology (LTH), Lund University, 7.4.2020

• Urban Aesthetics, Urban Transitions and Futures course/Asst. Prof. Idil Gaziulusoy, (MUO-E8027/USP-343), 4.3.2019

• Taiteilija ja kaupunki: Näkökulmia kaupunkiestetiikan tutkimuksesta (Artist and the City: Perspectives from the Study of Urban Aesthetics), Taidekoulu Maa/Pekka Niskanen, HAM Corner, 4.10.2018

Past teaching

• Aesthetics (compulsory master's level course, 3 ECTS), Master's Programme in Information Networks, Aalto University School of Science, 2016–24

• Ympäristöestetiikan perusteet, Introduction into Environmental Aesthetics, compulsory bachelor's level course, 5 ECTS, University of Helsinki, 2018–23

• Sustainability and the Urban Experience, Introduction to Urban Studies and Planning course/Giacomo Bottà, Urban Sudies and Planning Master's Programme, University of Helsinki and Aalto University, 2020–22 (annual lecture visit)

• Ympäristöestetiikka (Environmental Aesthetics), Monitieteinen ympäristötutkimus -kurssi (JMY/MYT) (Multidisciplinary Environmental Research course)/Janna Pietikäinen, University of Helsinki, 2014–23 (annual lecture visit)

• Seminar of Environmental Thinking, Aesthetics and Art (elective master's level seminar 3 ECTS), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2016–2021

• Kaupunkiestetiikka (Urban Aesthetics, Master's level course, 5 ECTS), University of Helsinki Open University, August 2021

• Ajatus: Empatia / Estetiikka (Idea: Empathy; compulsory Bachelor's level course, 3 course implementations/year, 2 ECTS), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2019–2021

• Ympäristöestetiikka (Environmental Aesthetics, bachelor's level online course, 5 ECTS), University of Helsinki Open University 2016–20

• Ajatus: Antroposeeni / Estetiikka (Idea: Anthropocene; compulsory Bachelor's level course, 3 course implementations/year, 2 ECTS), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2017–2019

• Ajatus: Ihmisyys / Estetiikka (Idea: Humanity; compulsory Bachelor's level course, 3 course implementations/year, 2 ECTS), Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture, 2015–2017

• Tilakokemuksen estetiikkaa (Aesthetics of Spatial Experience; Master's level course, 5 ECTS), 14.3.–28.4.2016, University of Helsinki

• Estetiikka ja taiteenfilosofia (Aesthetics and Philosophy of Art; doctoral level seminar, 6 ECTS) 22.2.–23.5.2016, Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture

• Estetiikan nykysuuntauksia I (Contemporary Approaches in Aesthetics I; TES130E, 5 ECTS), responsible teacher & coordinator, 5.11.–10.12.2009, University of Helsinki

• 5 aistia, 5 lähestymistapaa taiteeseen (5 Senses, 5 Approached to Art; TES240T, 5 ECTS), with MA Karoliina Korpilahti, 2.11.–14.12.2009, University of Helsinki

• Luxus vs. rähjä: Estetiikan Rajat 2007 (Luxe vs. Shabby; TES240T, 5 ECTS), with MA Karoliina Korpilahti, 12.09.–5.12.2007, University of Helsinki