Staff

Jyrki Luukkanen, Ph.D.

Jyrki Luukkanen is a research professor of futures studies specializing in energy, environment and development research. Professor Luukkanen has a Doctoral degree in systems theory from Tampere University of Technology.

He has been a director of numerous national and international research and development projects funded by European Commission, Finnish government, European Parliament, UNDP, the Academy of Finland, companies and industrial organization, NGOs, technology agencies, etc.

Professor Luukkanen is an author of about 150 scientific publications and has given lectures and presentations all over the world. He is a member of several expert committees and the Research Council of the Academy of Finland. Professor Luukkanen has carried out energy and development related research for almost 30 years.

Contact:

jyrki.luukkanen(at)tse.fi
Tel. +358-3-223 8364, +358-50-337 0710

Sari Jusi, M.Sc.

In her research work related to Mekong region and FREPLA-project (Future Resource Economy and Policies in Laos till the Year 2020) Jusi is focusing on issues of water resources use and management, environmental governance, trend and scenario analyses of water resource use and poverty alleviation in Laos.

Her previous research has been focused on integrated water resources management, hydropower and irrigation project management in Laos. One of her research areas is also environmental and social issues related to infrastructure developmental projects. She has done field research work in Laos and Thailand. Additionally she has been working as an environmentalist and social issues specialist in several infrastructure projects funded by multilateral development banks in Southeast Asia and Pacific region.

Contact:

sari.jusi(at)tse.fi
Tel. +358-3-223 8344, +358-50-5880 251

Hanna Kaisti, M.Soc.Sc.

Hanna Kaisti has her educational background in international relations, environmental policy, Asian studies and information sciences. She has worked in various research projects relating to environmental policy and politics, sustainable energy and equity issues in the developing countries.

She has been working in Finland Futures Research Centre’s Mekong energy projects since the beginning of 2007, and currently she is conducting research on the implementation and long term impacts of small scale donor funded renewable energy projects in Laos and Cambodia. This research is funded by the Academy of Finland.

Besides Mekong region she has also done research in Indonesia, where she was studying the impact of democratisation and decentralisation process on forest policy and politics. She has fieldwork experience from Indonesia, Laos and Cambodia, and to lesser extent also from Thailand and India.

Contact:

hanna.kaisti(at)tse.fi
Tel. +358-3-223 8344

Jari Kaivo-oja, Ph.D.

Jari Kaivo-oja is a research director of Finland Futures Research Centre specialising in foresight methodology, innovation research and sustainability studies. Jari Kaivo-oja has a Doctoral degree in administrative sciences from the University of Tampere. He has also Masters Degree in International economics.

He has been a director of numerous national and international research and development projects funded by European Commission, Finnish ministries, European Parliament, European Foundation, Nordic Innovation Center, the Academy of Finland, TEKES as well as companies and industrial organisations.

Research director Kaivo-oja is an author of about 215 scientific publications and has given lectures and presentations all over the world. He is a member of several expert networks and research programmes (e.g. DG Industry and Enterprise in the EU). Dr Kaivo-oja has wide experience in foresight, development and innovation research. Research director Kaivo-oja has carried out energy and sustainability related research for almost 15 years.

Contact:

Jari.Kaivo-oja(at)tse.fi
02-4814 526 and 050-5027 030

Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen, Ph.D.

Sylvia Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen is a Research Fellow of the Academy of Finland (2006-2012) and a Visiting Fellow at the Department of International Public Law, Leiden University, the Netherlands (2009-2010). Her current five year project looks at legitimacy and effectiveness in global environmental governance with an empirical focus on climate change and energy institutions. Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen’s major research has been in political science with emphasis on multi-level governance analysis including the role of institutions, knowledge and values.

Her academic training started with an M. Sc in Biology/Ecotoxicology from Uppsala University, continued with a Ph.D (political science) from Linköping University and a post doc at Yale University. Dr. Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen was one of the lead authors (2007) UNEP Fourth Global Environmental Outlook Assessment (chapter on the vulnerability of people and the environment). She is a member of the Great Transition Initiative and the General Secretary of the International Environment Forum.

Karlsson-Vinkhuyzen is on maternity leave from 23 Dec 2009 to 4 November 2010.

Contact:

sylvia.karlsson(at)tse.fi
Tel. +358-3-2238344, +358-50 3487828

Venla Kinnunen, M.Sc.

Venla Kinnunen has a background in environmental policy, environmental sciences and futures studies. She started working in Finland Futures Research Centre in 2003 and has worked since then in several projects related to environmental policy, climate policy and capacity building all including also aspects of future research.

Currently her research interests lie in global climate governance with an empirical focus on the national climate policies of Laos and Finland. Previously she worked as the project manager of two capacity building projects in the field of sustainable energy education in Laos and Cambodia. In her work she tries to foster sustainable development, equity and human welfare. Travelling around Thailand, Laos and Cambodia taught her that one of the most precious natural resources that people still have there is the tranquil pace and joy of life.

Contact:

venla.kinnunen(at)tse.fi
+358-03-223 8344

Mika Korkeakoski, B.Sc.(Eng.)

B.Sc.(Eng.) Mika Korkeakoski is finalising his studies on Development and International Cooperation (M.Sc.) with a major in environmental science. Currently he is conducting research for his Master’s thesis at FFRC project “Why renewable energy projects fail? Design and Implementation of Energy Assistance Projects in Cambodia and Lao PDR (DREAM)” funded by the Academy of Finland.

He has previous international work and research experience in the fields of sanitation, energy, environment and climate change e.g. from India, Nepal, and latest UNDP Tanzania (2007-2008) and is familiar with international project management and development cooperation. He has experience from both public and private sector as well as from national and international actors.

Contact:

mika.korkeakoski(at)tse.fi

Mira Käkönen, B.Soc.Sc.

Mira Käkönen is a researcher in FFRC project “Why Renewable Energy Projects Fail? Design and Implementation of Energy Assistance Projects in Cambodia and Lao PDR”. The project is funded by the Academy of Finland. She has her background in sociology and development studies.

Her research interests relate to expertise and power relations in the field of environment and development. She has worked in natural resources management related research projects in the Mekong region since 2004, especially in Vietnam and Cambodia. She has also experience from NGO sector, mainly from India and Mekong Region.

Contact:

mira.kakonen(at)helsinki.fi

Jenny Turunen, M.Sc.

Jenny Turunen is a M.Sc. from Tampere university, her major subject being environmental politics. Her fields of interest are developing countries studies, developing countries´environmental problems, sociology and social anthropology.

Turunen has experience from NGO sector in Tanzania and she has studied the effects of foreign funding on small local level NGOs in developing countries.

Contact:

jenny.turunen(at)tse.fi
Tel. +358-3-223 8344