Researchers at the University of Oulu are building Women in Hydrogen Oulu network to bring woman working in the field of hydrogen together

Hydrogen researchers Satu Ojala, Veera Tapionkaski and Milla Leppänen at the University of Oulu say that the WinH2Oulu network also welcomes those who are not yet long-time professionals in the field—women who are interested in the topic as well as those who have just started their studies. Initially, the trio wants to build the community at the University of Oulu, after which it will be easier to invite actors from outside the university to join as well. The idea for the network emerged from the global Women in Green Hydrogen network.

“Even though we live in a world that strives for equality, the hydrogen sector still shows an uneven gender balance. However, there are many highly skilled women in hydrogen research and hydrogen-related fields, and the idea of the network is to bring them together. At its best, the network can create pathways to highlight women’s expertise as well as opportunities for collaboration,” the researchers say.

They add that hydrogen research and the hydrogen sector are so broad and multidisciplinary that opportunities for collaboration often become clearer through networks and communities in general. This is exactly what Women in Hydrogen Oulu aims to support.

The nationwide Women in Hydrogen Finland network was founded in October 2025, and the Oulu researchers believe that developing collaboration in the future will benefit all parties. As the City of Oulu together with the University of Oulu forms a significant hydrogen economy hub in Finland, the researchers wanted to launch a local network as well to activate activities in the region.

Initially, Tapionkaski and Ojala began developing the network, and when Leppänen heard about it, she became enthusiastic and joined already at the development stage.

“I felt that by being part of this network I could also showcase my research in physics, which connects to the hydrogen economy—which may come as quite a surprise to many when they hear about it. The network would therefore give me an opportunity to highlight, from my own perspective, the diversity of hydrogen research. In addition, I would hear about others’ career paths and be able to broaden my own understanding of hydrogen research,” Leppänen says.

Connections with hydrogen experts can lead to collaboration partners, job opportunities, and thesis topics

The network’s main task is to provide connections with other hydrogen experts. Through these connections, you may find, for example, collaboration partners, job opportunities, and for students, topics for a bachelor’s thesis or master’s thesis.

“In the network you get a clearer picture of how industry and academia support each other in hydrogen research, and how broad hydrogen research actually is,” Leppänen says.

Those who join at the beginning will also find it easier to shape the network so that it becomes most beneficial for them as well.

“Of course, this will also be possible later on, but at the beginning it may be easier while we are looking for a shared direction and form for the network,” Leppänen adds.

Women in Hydrogen Oulu has held two meetings so far. The first took place at the university in early 2026, and the invitation was shared with contacts in different faculties. The second was a networking moment during the University of Oulu’s hydrogen research day in February. Following the first meeting, key themes that emerged included the industry perspective and collaboration, career paths in the hydrogen sector, and organizing webinars and workshops. The inclusion of men—or ways in which they could support the network—also came up in the discussion.

Leppänen has clear hopes for the network’s future:

“I hope that through the network we can connect these fantastic women experts and highlight their competence. I also hope that the connection between academia and industry will become clearer thanks to the network.”

Are you interested in the network and working in the Oulu area? You can join the WinH2Oulu network by contacting Milla Leppänen at milla.leppanen@oulu.fi.