Organization

Management

Dean Anna Valtonen

Professor Anna Valtonen is the Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and a respected expert in her field. She combines a deep understanding of design with extensive management skills and academic experience. Her research has primarily focused on Finnish design history and on how design is used in organisations.

Anna Valtonen served in a variety of positions in Nokia between 1997 and 2009, most recently as Head of Design, Research & Foresight. She completed a Doctor of Arts degree at the University of Art and Design Helsinki in 2007 and served as a researcher and a Board member of the former and present university. Since 2008 she has been a member of the Board of Aarhus School of Architecture and a visiting researcher and professor at the ESSEC Business School in Paris, France, as well as a board member of several companies.

Between 2009 and 2014 Anna Valtonen was Professor and Rector of the Umeå Institute of Design at Umeå University in Sweden. At her present position as the Dean of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture and a member of the Aalto University’s Management Team she has been since March 2014.

In September 2014 Valtonen was selected to be international member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences, IVA.

Vice dean Teemu Leinonen (research and communication)

Professor Teemu Leinonen, D.A., works at the Department of Media as Professor of New Media Design and Learning. Leinonen has more than a decade of experience in research and development in web-based learning. From 1998 Leinonen has headed the Learning Environments research group at the Aalto University Media Lab. As the leader of the research team he has coordinated many international research projects.

Leinonen is especially familiar with questions related to new media design and learning, computer-supported collaborative learning, online collaboration, design of learning software, education planning and education policy. Teemu conducts research and design and publishes in different forums. He has published two books, over ten peer-reviewed or invited book chapters, over twenty peer-reviewed scientific articles in journals and conferences and more than ten software prototypes.

Vice dean Ossi Naukkarinen (teaching)

Ossi Naukkarinen has worked at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture in various full-time tasks from 1998, and as Head of Research from 2001.

Naukkarinen has a Ph.D. from the University of Helsinki. He defended his dissertation in 1998 in the field of aesthetics.  He also holds the title of docent of aesthetics at the University of Helsinki, specialising in the study of visual and environmental art and everyday aesthetics. Naukkarinen has written several books as well as numerous articles both in Finland and in international publications. Among other activities, he has headed research projects of the Academy of Finland, and works in organisations in the field, such as the internationally active Finnish Society for Aesthetics.

Vice dean Saija Hollmén (art and creative practices)

Vice dean at the School of Arts, Design and Architecture architect Saija Hollmén has worked as a lecturer at Aalto's Department of Architecture from 2008. Her area of responsibility is art and creative practices. In addition to her teaching work, Ms Hollmén has coordinated cooperation between architecture and engineering sciences as well as engaged in active international cooperation both at Aalto and in the scope of her work as a representative of non-governmental organisation Ukumbi.

Ms Hollmén's focus in artistic activities has centred on architecture.

As vice dean, Saija Hollmén will be responsible for the practical implementation and development of art and creative practices.