Wasa Future Festival 2025

How can we foster growth and tackle climate change through smart and clean energy solutions? How can artificial intelligence and technology help companies develop new, more sustainable business models? And how can research and collaboration between academia and industry lead to significant breakthroughs for society, while helping us prepare for the uncertainties of a rapidly changing world? These are just some of the themes that will be explored with experts in the University of Vaasa’s programme at Wasa Future Festival, taking place from 11–16 August 2025 in Vaasa.

In addition to university researchers, the discussions and workshops will feature representatives from the business world, government ministers, members of parliament, and other experts – all working together to identify concrete actions for the development of Finland and the Vaasa region. The events are free of charge and open to anyone interested in the themes. Registration is required.

As part of the festival, the University of Vaasa will present Butterfly — a unique, interactive exhibition combining science and art, created in collaboration with three universities. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of international artists working at the intersection of science and art. It will be open to the public daily from 12–31 August 2025, between 10:00 and 16:00, at the Wasa Innovation Center, Catacombs.

Explore the university’s full programme below.

University's programme at Wasa Future Festival 2025

The programme is subject to change, you can find the updated programme on the Wasa Future Festival website. The address for all the events is Wasa Innovation Center, Gerbyntie 16, Vaasa if nothing else is stated in the event description. It is possible to follow some of the events online.

Monday 11 August – Forest / Sustainability / Butterfly

16:30–17:30 Panel discussion: Overconsumption culture in critical examination (in Finnish)

Venue: Barn

A thought-provoking conversation on the fate of humanity, climate, and sustainable solutions from the perspective of consumption. Panellists include Matti Tuomaala (Chair of the Vaasa branch of the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation), Enni Ruokamo (Researcher and Specialist at the Finnish Environment Institute), Riku Eskelinen (Executive Director of the Finnish Nature League), and Kerttu Kotakorpi (Nature journalist and Meteorologist).

Butterfly exhibition opening – Invite only

Tuesday 12 August – University / Research / Skills

08:30–09:15 Opening of the day 

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Mind Square

Welcome by Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa, and Vice Rectors Mika Grundström and Tanja Risikko.

09:15–10:30 Creating discoveries in the future energy system – The Vaasa Energy Transition Valley 

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center: Mind Square

The Vaasa Energy Transition Valley is driving future energy system business models and solutions today by strengthening corporate R&D and innovation through collaboration. How can we lead Finland and Europe towards a successful energy transition? How can the Energy Transition Valley maximise returns on development investment? Speakers include Vice Eector Mika Grundström and Research and Development Director Jan Segerstam. Panellists include Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering Joakim Strand, Helena Sarén (Mission Lead, Zero Carbon Future, Business Finland), Shekhar Kubal (Head of Electrification, Danfoss), and other experts.

09:00–15:00 Butterfly symposium & workshop – Glocal effects of data, energy and industry 

Venue: Barn

A multidisciplinary, English-language symposium and science workshop exploring sustainability in digitalisation, energy, and business. Speakers include architects Juhani Risku and Anne Stenros. Online registration required.

11:00–12:30 AI2Business: Shaping the future with AI 

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Mind Square

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries and creating new business opportunities. This session focuses on how AI can be harnessed to develop future-proof business models. Speakers include Marko Kohtamäki (University of Vaasa), Sanna Peltonen (VAMK), Marko Komssi (VTT), Pasi Tuominen (Wapice Oy), and Pekka Koponen (Infinit Capital, University of Vaasa). Registration via form.

11:00–12:00 Workshop: Regional needs, opportunities and challenges in future energy systems 

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center: Right Wing

Renewable energy projects and data centres are hot topics in Finland. Regions play a key role in the energy transition, influenced by national and international factors. What are the current and future needs, opportunities, and challenges in Ostrobothnia? Open to all, participation possible in Finnish, Swedish, and English. Led by Research Director Mona Enell-Nilsson and Assistant Professor Antti Mäenpää (University of Vaasa).

12:00–12:30 Tackling GHG emissions throughout supply chains with AI and other digital technologies

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center: Right Wing

How can companies significantly reduce indirect greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 3) in their supply and value chains? This session presents how AI and other technologies can support emission reduction. Led by Associate Professor Juha Arrasvuori and the MINCA project team.

13:00–15:30 Live newsroom: How is journalism created? (in Finnish)

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center: Right Wing

How is journalism created? Why is it done? What does the audience think about it? Come and brainstorm topics, consider perspectives, give feedback and discuss journalistic choices with journalists! In the live newsroom, you can suggest your hottest story ideas, give critical feedback and praise, and discuss what journalism is and what it could be. In Finnish.

13:00–14:30 Resilient society (in Finnish)

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center: Mind Square

Regional research collaboration and preparedness are key to building societal resilience. This session explores new initiatives at the University of Vaasa and opportunities in resilience and urban research. Panellists include Rector Minna Martikainen, Mayor Tomas Häyry, urban collaboration expert Sampo Ruoppila, Professor Marko Kohtamäki, Professor of Practice Hanna Smith, Wärtsilä’s Head of Security Jan Haglund, and Director-General of the Regional State Administrative Agency Marko Pukkinen. Moderators: Associate Professor Helka Kalliomäki and Research Director Petri Uusikylä.

14:30–15:30 Thought Leaders Roundtable: Energy Transition for Climate Action 

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Mind Square

According to the IPCC, emissions must be cut by 43% by 2030 to limit global warming. How can universities support the energy transition and climate action through education and research? A roundtable in English with international university leaders.

Participants: Professor Minna Martikainen, Rector, University of Vaasa; Professor Eileen McAuliffe, Executive Vice President, Chief Thought Leadership Officer, AACSB International; Professor Eeva Leinonen, President, NUI Maynooth; Professor Hanna-Leena Pesonen, Dean School of Business and Economics, Jyväskylä University, Co-Chair of Energy Steering Panel at the European Academies Science Advisory Council, Member of the AACSB European Advisory Council, and Board Member of GRLI (Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative); Professor Tooraj Jamasb, Copenhagen Business School, CBS Endowed Professor of Energy Economics and Director for Copenhagen School of Energy Infrastructure (CSEI);  Professor James Smith, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Southern Methodist University, Professor in Energy Economics.Moderator: Professor Martin Meyer, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, University of Vaasa

15:30–17:00 Panel discussion: The allure of strong leaders and populism (in Finnish)

What makes strong leaders so compelling, and why has populism gained popularity in recent years? Panellists include Professor Esa Hyyryläinen (University of Vaasa), MP and former minister Paula Risikko, Editor-in-Chief Markku Mantila (Ilkka-Pohjalainen), and Editor-in-Chief Olli Seuri (Uusi Juttu). Moderated by Eveliina Yli-Rahnasto. The panel will also be streamed on Pomedia’s YouTube channel.

Wednesday 13 August – Energy / Technology

09:00–16:00 Space Day

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Left Wing

Space is the future — the precise and reliable data it provides is opening up new opportunities across many sectors, from defence to agriculture and forestry.

09:00–11:00 Satellite Workshops for children. Fun, space-themed activities designed to spark curiosity and inspire interest in the natural sciences. Registration via the LUMA Centre Ostrobothnia website.

12:00–16:00 Information for Businesses and Start-ups. Learn about funding instruments and space strategies. Get support for solving challenges and applying for funding. The programme will be led by experts Riccardo Notarangelo (University of Vaasa), Kaisa Ahonen (European Space Agency Business Incubation Centre), and Miika Kostamo & Svenja Fassbender (European Space Agency PhiLab). Sessions will be held in Finnish or English depending on participants’ needs.

10:00–16:00 Butterfly Immersive Learning Experience

Venue: Catacombs

An interactive workshop led by Associate Professor and Butterfly curator Rebekah Rousi, designed especially for young people. Visitors of all ages, starting from 5 years old, are welcome to explore nature through a guided art exhibition tour and the immersive Five Victorian Frogs learning experience. Offered in both English and Finnish. More information available on the Butterfly exhibition website.

13:00–16:00 DigiMe Project Workshop

Venue: Barn

Our digital lives — from streaming to cloud services — generate emissions. At the same time, digitalisation offers new opportunities for sustainable solutions, such as in the circular economy. What kind of new digital skills do we need for a sustainable transition? This English-language workshop is led by Postdoctoral Researcher Rumy Narayan and University Teacher Sniazhana Diduc from the University of Vaasa.

16:00–19:00 Workshops: Energy Transition Valley

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Right Wing

Join stakeholders and decision makers in evolving and sharing the vision of the Energy Transition Valley driving future energy system business models and solutions today. The Energy Transition Valley enables discovering sustainable competitive advantages together while accelerating business innovation investment returns through easy access to cost effective shared resources, all levels of the grid and world class energy innovation. Workshops are led by Research and Development Director Henri Karimäki, Professor of Electrical Engineering Kimmo Kauhaniemi, and Research and Development Director Jan Segerstam. Sessions will be held in Finnish or English depending on participants’ needs.

17:30–21:00 Butterfly: Lights-Off Experience

Performances and artworks without electric lighting. Featuring Italian-Australian artist Domenico DeClario and others.

Thursday 14 August – New Nordic / Innovation

09:00–10:20 Improving productivity – in the public and private sectors: A productivity program and productivity strategy will be created for Finland/Nordic

Venue: Wasa Innovation Center, Mind Square

A productivity program and productivity strategy will be created for Finland/Nordic. Director General of Statistics Finland Ville Vertanen: New facts. Minister Sakari Puisto and “How to get it right in practice - panel”: Chairman of the Board of Vaisala Ville Voipio, President of Sitra, Atte Jääskeläinen, Head of Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy Mikko Spolander, Expert of the Confederation of Finnish Industries Paavali Kukkonen, Minister for European Affairs Joakim Strand, Union of Technology Industries, CEO Minna Helle, University of Vaasa, Rector, Minna Martikainen, Ostrobothnia Chamber of Commerce, CEO Paula Erkkilä, VEHO, Vice-Chairman, Philip Aminoff, Kreab, CEO, Mikael Jungner

16:00–17:00 How do we make Finland a leading global investment hub?

Venue:Wasa Innovation Center, Mind Square

Finland needs growth through investments, in which Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) plays a crucial role. Finland’s strengths — clean energy, natural resources, efficient infrastructure, and a stable operating environment — provide a solid foundation for new investments. But how can we harness these assets to drive sustainable economic growth?

Joining the discussion are Joakim Strand, Minister for European Affairs and Ownership Steering; Casper Herler, Partner at Borenius Attorneys; Olli Sipilä, CEO of Gasgrid Finland; and Minna Martikainen, Rector of the University of Vaasa.

17:30–22:00 Night of the Arts: Butterfly Exhibition 

Venue: Catacombs 

An evening where art brings the Wasa Innovation Center to life — blending sound, light, movement, and meaning into a multisensory experience.

18:00–20:00 Opening of Australian Artist Katey O’Sullivan’s Exhibition 

Venue: Tritonia Academic Library, Wolffintie 34, Vaasa 

Australian artist Katey O’Sullivan explores the environment through the eyes of an outsider, offering fresh perspectives and reminding us of the beauty found in everyday life.

Friday 15 August – New Nordic / Culture

11:00–15:30 Virtual Reality in Occupational Safety Training – Virtuario & BETH 

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming the way we learn and teach. But what can VR technology offer to occupational safety training? The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health and the University of Vaasa’s BETH project present Virtuario — an immersive platform designed to support workplace safety and wellbeing.

11:00–11:30 VR in Training and Introduction to Virtuario (in Finnish). Speakers: Roosa Wingström (University of Vaasa) and Frans Simpura (Finnish Institute of Occupational Health). Venue: Mindsquare

11:30–15:30 Hands-on Experience with Virtuario Using VR Headsets . Everyone is welcome to come and try, participation possible in Finnish, English and Swedish. Venue: Right Wing
 

For the full programme, visit the Wasa Future Festival website.