Brown Bag seminar: Science of art or art of science – What does a dialogue between art and science look like?

Does science explain art, or does art interpret science? This seminar invites participants to reflect on the ways in which these two areas of human understanding intertwine, challenge and support each other, and open new ways of perceiving the world. Does the interaction of research and creative expression produce new forms of knowledge, alternative ways to address difficult topics or novel approaches for collaboration? The seminar encourages participants to consider how science and art can interact and serve one another through critical dialogue. Where is the boundary between scientific knowledge and artistic understanding? Does it need to be defined at all or is such a definition even possible?

Event information

Time

Thu 21.05.2026 18:00 - 19:15

Venue location

Ravintola Tuba

Location

Other

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Join us at Restaurant Tuba on Thursday, 21 May at 6 pm to listen to and discuss research and artistic work taking place at the intersection of science and art. This open-to-all Brown Bag seminar is part of the Oulu2026 European Capital of Culture year program, and it will be held in Finnish. The seminar speakers are Docent of Literature, Literary Art and Drama Education, University Lecturer and Author Pirjo Suvilehto, Postdoctoral Researcher Lauri Moilanen from the research group of the History of Science and Ideas, and Postdoctoral Researcher Markus Rytinki, who works at the University of Oulu’s Kerttu Saalasti Institute researching entrepreneurship in creative industries and cultural tourism.

University Lecturer Suvilehto will shed light on bibliotherapeutic perspectives, focusing particularly on the literary and research contexts of Tove Jansson and the Moomins.

Postdoctoral Researcher Moilanen will discuss how composing and performing music inspired by his grim research subjects has helped him cope with the anxiety caused by researching Finnish suicidal murders. As a guitarist‑vocalist in the band Leskentuska, Moilanen will explore the synergy between scientific work and music-making as personal and public performances.

Postdoctoral Researcher Rytinki will examine the role of artist residencies in strengthening local collaboration, expertise, and regional attractiveness. His presentation offers a concise overview of residency activities in Northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu, compiling the current state of the residency field, key observations, and development recommendations for regional stakeholders.

The seminar will take place on Thursday, May 21, at 18:00-19:15 at Restaurant Tuba (Mannenkatu 2). Register for the seminar to secure your spot in the audience, as there are only about 70 seats available. Please note that the seminar presentations will be in Finnish! If you wish to dine at the restaurant during the seminar, please reserve a table via Tuba’s reservation page.

The aim of the Brown Bag Seminars is to showcase University of Oulu’s research and to encourage interdisciplinary knowledge-sharing and networking amongst our researchers. During the Oulu2026 Culture Capital Year some of the seminars are organized in venues in the city center and we especially invite all the citizens along to discuss, learn and get excited about science!

Note UniOGS Doctoral Researchers: You can add Brown Bag Seminars in your personal learning plan and once you have attended 10 Brown Bag Seminars, you can get 0,5 credits of doctoral studies.

Created 9.3.2026 | Updated 9.3.2026