The Faculty Council of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry includes the dean and 18 members and their deputies. The term of the Faculty Council is four years; however, the student representatives are selected for a term of two years.
The agendas and minutes of the Faculty Council are posted on the University’s intranet Flamma for students and staff of the University. A list of Faculty Council members can be found on the same page. To use Flamma, you must log in with your University username and password. If you cannot access Flamma, please contact mmtdk-hallinto@helsinki.fi
All meetings start at 10.15.
Spring 2025
Autumn 2025
The Faculty has been headed by Dean Ritva Toivonen since 2018. In the term of office 2022–2025, the Faculty has four vice-deans: Laura Alakukku, Janna Pietikäinen, Mari Sandell and Anne Toppinen.
“I am a forester and a docent in forest economics, with a particular focus on the forest product market and strategic management. Right now, my research focuses on modern timber construction, and I am in charge of development projects associated with the Viikki Campus innovation ecosystem and the Living Lab research environment located in the timber-framed building at Hyytiälä Forest Station. My background is in managing academic expert organisations. I have gained an international perspective from my stints at the UN and the University of Freiburg, among others.
The University of Helsinki is building the future, and what could be more inspiring? The sustainable use of renewable natural resources is an increasingly important theme, and the research and higher education our Faculty offers on this theme are the best in Finland, ranking at the top internationally too. It is important that our Faculty becomes increasingly successful in this mission.
Identifying positive opportunities, a respectful attitude and close interaction with society are what pave the way for the favourable development of the academic community. They generate energy and creative power.”
Laura Alakukku is the vice-dean for infrastructures and open data at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. When necessary, she also deputises for the dean.
“I am professor of environmental technology in agriculture at the Department of Agricultural Sciences. My research field is soil technology and related environmental technology in crop production. I am a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.
My goal is to continue to develop the Faculty’s research and teaching infrastructures and related support services, with open data as a new element to be linked with them. The aim is to establish, in cooperation with the Faculty community, a high-quality research and teaching environment that, in addition to strengthening the national and international competitiveness of research, teaching and innovation, offers a public view to the Faculty.”
Janna Pietikäinen is the vice-dean for academic affairs and sustainability at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
“I am a senior university lecturer at the Department of Forest Sciences, and I study and teach environmental issues and sustainability. My work revolves around the promotion of effective learning. I develop teaching and education, as well as conduct pedagogical research on education in the life sciences and sustainability. I am a member of the Teachers’ Academy and I provide sustainability education at the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science HELSUS.
Together with teachers of the Faculty’s degree programmes, we develop teaching that enables us to tackle global sustainability challenges in natural and human systems related to forests and food. The aim is also to strengthen teaching in sustainable entrepreneurship and innovation skills, as well as to increase openly available teaching and teaching collaboration with other operators in society. We offer education and training for the establishment of a sustainable future.”
Mari Sandell is the vice-dean for public engagement and innovation at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
“I am professor of sensory food science at the Department of Food and Nutrition, and a part-time professor at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Turku. I lead the multidisciplinary Senses and Food group.
Interaction is a constant target of development. Our Faculty’s partner network includes a number of funders, decision-makers, businesses and other clients, alumni and stakeholders.
The creative staff and students of our Faculty as well as Viikki Research Farm, Hyytiälä Forest Station and Viikki Food Design Factory provide an excellent foundation for innovation.
I am responsible for the Faculty’s communications together with the on-site communications team on Viikki Campus. We have a lot to share about the development of a sustainable food and forest system. It all stems from collaboration and bold thinking.”
Anne Toppinen is the vice-dean for research and doctoral education at the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry.
“I am professor of forest economics, business and politics at the Department of Forest Sciences, and I have worked at the Faculty since 2008.
Before serving as a vice-dean, I was the director of the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science HELSUS from 2018 to 2021. Before transferring to the University of Helsinki, I worked as a research programme manager at the European Forest Institute and as a researcher at the Finnish Forest Research Institute.
My research interests include the sustainability transition in the forest sector’s value networks as well as in business models, corporate responsibility and resilience. I coordinate the interdisciplinary DECARBON-HOME consortium funded by the Strategic Research Council. I am also a member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters and the Scientific Council for Biosciences, Health and the Environment of the Research Council of Finland.
My goal as one of the vice-deans is to make the already high-quality research at the Faculty even better, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and promote career opportunities for especially junior and grant-funded researchers.”