UniOulu Science Day 2024

The workshop is organized by the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.

This workshop will discuss the relationship between science and policy-making and how to strengthen it. What support services and channels could be used to make the voice of science better heard in policy-making? Is there sufficient cooperation in the field of science for societal interaction? What are science organisations currently doing well and where are the main areas for improvement?

This workshop will inspire and support researchers to find news angles about their topical, significant research and help them gain international media visibility. Join the University of Oulu science communications specialists as they share the practices and resources of international media work at the University of Oulu and showcase past examples of successful media coverage of research. Practice how to formulate a media pitch and receive valuable feedback from journalist Erika Benke who freelances in Finland after a 23-year career at the BBC newsroom in London. She will evaluate your pitch. The University of Oulu and the city of Oulu are familiar to her.

Do you want to learn to communicate your research in a creative and engaging way? This workshop aims to awaken the creative side of researchers and inspire them to discover how they can use their imagination to communicate their research. The participants will hear two scientists who embrace different fields of their artistic side explain the creative processes behind their artwork. Attendees will then be encouraged to create their own piece of work with materials provided in the workshop, focusing on the exploration of their ideas and the incorporation of diverse elements into their expression.

In this workshop you will get tips and tricks on how to use AI when writing your research funding proposals. You will learn how to use and prompt basic generative AI tools to analyse call texts, plan SMART objectives and improve your text.

This workshop is suitable for researchers from any discipline who are interested in using AI in proposal writing. No prior knowledge of AI is required. The workshop will be interactive, engaging, and fun.

This workshop aims to introduce the highs and lows of interdisciplinary research and education. In this workshop we will be discussing the costs and benefits of taking the risk of interdisciplinary approach. After this practical workshop, we have collaboratively defined a toolbox for improving interdisciplinary processes. This workshop will give you a taste of what it means to be an interdisciplinary actor!

Citizen science describes scientific research that is partially or even entirely conducted by laypeople. Citizen science is a significant opportunity for scientific research. The general interest and opportunities for citizen science have grown as the number of highly educated people has increased, and open science, continuous learning, and the availability of open courses offered by universities, such as MOOCs, have increased. In this workshop, we will familiarise ourselves with the definition of citizen science, discuss the recommendation for citizen science (2022) and learn about a research project that deals with human-nature relationships. We will also conduct a small experiment with the participants, utilising the principles of citizen science, so please bring along a digital nature photo that is meaningful to you.

This workshop aims to foster a collaborative environment where researchers can explore innovative ways to translate their research findings into new inventions, services, and practices that benefit society. Learn to think creatively about how your research can address real-world challenges and create solutions with societal impact. The best ideas can get Proof-of-Concept (PoC) funding for the first implementation.

This workshop aims to bring together senior and junior scholars of migrant background to discuss how higher education institutions integrate these professionals, promote career development, and familiarize them with employee rights and responsibilities. The workshop will also explore how universities can take into consideration integration outside of work and improve integration as a two-way process. The workshop is organized by the research group ‘Trust in everyday encounters’ of the Mobile Futures consortium, which promotes a fair and inclusive society through focusing on integration as a trust-based, two-way process. Come and share your ideas and/or experiences for collaborative study and policy development purposes. All information is handled anonymously and will be used as material for policy recommendations at the University of Oulu (HR, Faculty and unit leaders, Equality and Diversity Committee, and trade unions) in addition to research publications.

Biodiversity is crucial for multi-species well-being and planetary sustainability. To generate future-oriented solutions to save biodiversity, we need to bring together scholars from across different fields of science to collaboratively investigate the theme. The aim of this workshop, organized by Biodiverse Anthropocenes research program, is to build new research collaborations in an interdisciplinary manner. We welcome researchers from all fields to join in!
Welcome to listen to short introductory presentations of research topics regarding biodiversity by UniOulu researchers, and to participate in a World Café discussion where these research topics are discussed and further developed. We wish to bridge scientists from various fields and to create a fertile soil for high-impact research initiatives.

This workshop is about posters! You will learn how the environment is linked to our health and well-being from experts from different disciplines and have the chance to engage in lively discussions. You are invited to attend our workshop on the topic “Healthy Environment – Healthy People”, an Argumenta project funded by the Finnish Cultural Foundation and coordinated by the University of Oulu’s Kvantum Institute.

The workshop will consist of:

• Demo by Aleksi Alavuotunki (ICT services) on how to make a poster using the Copilot AI
• Poster session, where you will see 12 posters from various faculties showcasing their research on Environmental Health and Well-being (One Health).
• An interactive platform where you can engage with presenters, pose questions, and share valuable insights.

Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and contribute to the dialogue surrounding this important topic.

Early diagnosis of memory disorders is a crucial cornerstone so that medical treatment and support measures that maintain functional capacity can be started in a timely manner. How could we speed up the early diagnosis or find new ways for earlier diagnosis? We hope that innovations can be found by combining different disciplines, so let’s innovate new solutions together.

Welcome to listen to an introduction to the topic, current research around it, and information about the FUS LiFu treatment!

Do you want to learn how to create music from images with Python? Join this interactive workshop and learn how to write and execute code that can turn any image into music. You must bring with you a laptop with Python 3 pre-installed (the PyCharm environment is preferable) and headphones as well as an image of your choice in PNG or JPEG/JPG format. The workshop will start with a presentation about AI and art, after which interactive coding session and discussions will follow.

Persuasive technologies are designed to change the user’s attitudes and behaviour. This takes place by persuasion or social influence, not typically by coercion. These raise many ethical concerns of potential manipulation and exploitation of human vulnerabilities. Regulation is fundamental in addressing these. The workshop explores questions concerning the acceptable level and kind of manipulation, and the risks and benefits of the EU AI Act in relation to these technologies.

Human health and well-being

• ”A Meaningful Researcher's Life”, Doctoral Researcher Monika Luukkonen, Oulu Business School
• ”(Eco)critical Sustainability”, Doctoral Researcher Joffy Connolly, Values, Ideologies and Social Contexts of Education (VISE) Research Unit
• “Pathologic Synovium in 3D: A Step Closer to Understanding Joint Pain”, Postdoctoral Researcher Shuvashis Das Gupta, Research Unit of Health Science and Technology
• “Electrophysiological Characterization of iPS-derived Neural Progenitor Cells Harbouring a Variant in NACC1 Causing Neurological Disease”, Postdoctoral Researcher Viivi Järvelä, Nano and Molecular Systems (NANOMO) Research Unit
• “ALK Inhibitor and Chemotherapy Combinations in ALK Translocated NSCLC Models”, Doctoral Researcher Milla Luukkainen, Translational Medicine Research Unit
• ”Improving the Treatment of Ovarian Cancer with Precision Oncology Approaches”, Doctoral Researcher Emilia Piki, Disease Networks Research Unit

Digitalization, artificial intelligence, and data in service of humanity

• “6G Visible - Enhancing Autonomous Driving with Dynamic Traffic Data”, Doctoral Researchers Nada Sanad and Anna Teern, University Lecturer Pertti Seppänen, Empirical Software Engineering in Software, Systems, and Services (M3S) Research Unit
• “Resource-aware Orchestration of IoT Applications in Edge-Cloud Continuum with 6G”, Doctoral Researcher Hafiz Faheem Shahid, CWC-Networks and Systems, Wireless Medical Communications (WiMeC) Research Group
• “Tarinatalo – Educational Virtual Learning Environment to Enhance Children’s and Adolescents’ Literacy Skills”, Doctoral Researcher and University Lecturer Ruut Tikkanen, INTERACT Research Group
• “Legitimacy Challenges of MyData Approach to Personal Data Management within the Context of GDPR implementation”, Doctoral Researcher Aigerim Dairabekova, Martti Ahtisaari Institute
• “An Exploration of a Digital Trading Card Game Platform: Leveraging Generative AI for Game Development and Integrating Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAO) within an Open, Transparent Blockchain Based Economy”, Doctoral Researcher Sami Pohjalainen, Oulu Advanced Research on Service and Information Systems (OASIS) Research Unit

Resilient and secure society/Mitigating climate change and securing biodiversity

• “Ukrainians and the Ukrainian Language in Finland”, Dr Yan Kapranov, Research Unit for Languages and Literature
• “Searching for Fellow Feelings Through a Multidisciplinary Approach: Exploring Dark Taxa with Young People”, Doctoral Researcher Niina Kiljunen, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit and Doctoral Researcher Marina Pliushchik, Teachers, Teaching and Educational Communities (TTEC) Research Unit
• “When Science Meets the Kids: The Lone Wolf Board Game”, Doctoral Researchers Dominika Bujnakova and Ekaterina Karabanina, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit
• "Hybrid Microbial Electrochemical Technology Constructed Wetland for Wastewater Treatment", Doctoral Researcher Laura Tarvainen, Water, Energy, and Environmental Engineering Research Unit
• ”Microalgae: a Sustainable Approach to Wastewater Treatment”, Doctoral Researcher Saba Khalatbari, Chemical Process Engineering Research Unit
• “Pilot Scale Adsorption of Pharmaceuticals from Municipal Wastewater Effluent in Oulu”, Doctoral Researcher Mahdiyeh Mohammadzadeh, Chemical Process Engineering Research Unit
• "Microbial Symbionts of Mosses for Improved Phytoremediation", Doctoral Researcher Abrar Hussain Mian, Department of Ecology and Genetic Research Unit, I4WORLD Doctoral Programme
• “Visible Light-Assisted Nitrogen Fixation to Ammonia by Molybdenum”, Doctoral Researcher Rizwana Rahmathulla Ajamavad, Environmental and Chemical Engineering Research Unit, I4WORLD Doctoral Programme
• “Application of Geospatial Techniques to Determine the Spatial Distribution of Fishing Cats (Prionailurus viverrinus) and Co-occurring Species Smooth-coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) in and around Puri, Odisha, India”, Doctoral Researcher Shreya Pandey, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit
• “The Potential of Non-native Pink Salmon to Boost Arctic Ecosystems – a Threat or an Opportunity?”, Doctoral Researcher Aino Erkinaro, Ecology and Genetics Research Unit
• “Advanced NMR Analysis Techniques for Mining”, Doctoral Researcher Hamed Derakshandeh, Nuclearn Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Research Unit