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Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions Conference
14-16 April 2027 | Vaasa, Finland | Eu-SPRI Thematic Conference
An aerial image of the University of Vaasa campus in Vaasa during summer.

Early career conference

Navigating academic careers in times of tensions | 13 April 2027

This Early Career Conference (ECC) focuses on navigating academic careers in times of tension, linking to the Eu-SPRI Thematic Conference on Transformative Innovation in Times of Tensions, which will take place in April 2027 in Vaasa, Finland. Scholars in the early stages of their careers face increasing challenges within a rapidly evolving science, technology, and innovation (STI) landscape. This volatility is partly driven by geopolitical uncertainty and security- and defence-oriented agendas, which may at times clash with personal values such as commitments to social justice and sustainability.

At the same time, networking and professional relationship-building may be disrupted by mobility constraints and fragmented security environments. Emerging and disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, are advancing rapidly, raising critical questions about their ethical use in the context of growing pressures for productivity and societal impact. In addition, global crises such as climate change call for more sustainable scholarly practices, as well as more effective forms of knowledge dissemination and implementation.

Within this context, early career researchers must navigate multiple additional tensions, including those between disciplinary depth and interdisciplinarity, openness and competitiveness, researcher autonomy and funding imperatives, and the demands of publish-or-perish culture. This ECC will provide a space to reflect on these dilemmas and offer strategies and guidance for thriving in an era of uncertainty.

The ECC will be organised on 13 April 2027.

Application opens mid-October.

Early career conference topics and sessions 

The ECC will be opened by Helka Kalliomäki, Professor of innovation policy in the subject of Regional Studies at University of Vaasa. Helka’s research relates to the role of cities and regions in societal transformation, science and innovation policy and their spatial dimensions.

The early career event day will be structured into three main sessions, progressing from Nordic perspectives on current tensions to global perspectives, and finally to a personal-level engagement with future research and career path interests in this context. Before the first main session, participants will get to know each other's research focuses and how the research themes present in the room relate to the conference theme of times of tension.

Session 1

The first session will provide insight into current tensions ranging from geopolitical uncertainty, climate change, uneven development, and the rapid advancement of AI and other technologies. The first session will combine input from experts across different fields. It will consist of short lectures by the teachers and interactive discussions amongst the participants. Deputy Head of Division Mart Laatsit will provide a Nordic perspective on innovation policy in times of geopolitical tensions and security concerns. He is the head of the Innovation division at LUND University, and after working as a policymaker, he now focuses on innovation policy research. The second input will be delivered by University of Vaasa’s Professor of Practice in preparedness and resilience research Hanna Smith, an internationally recognised expert on security policy and hybrid threats.

Session 2

The second session focuses on global perspectives on AI, related ethical issues, and AI policymaking in rapidly evolving and unpredictable environments. The session is led by Arash Hajikhani, a Research Professor at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. His research focuses on innovation and technology management. This session will expand the discussion from the previous session by providing theoretical and practical insights into the role of AI in research and innovation policy. Participants will be guided to reflect on the interconnectedness of current tensions and recent developments in the field of AI.

Session 3

As an introduction to the third session there will be an input on the topic of higher education in times of tension and innovation by Alejandra Boni, Professor at Universitat Politècnica de València, Reserach Fellow at Ingenio Research Institute (CSIC-UPV), and the co-director of the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium (TIPC). The third session shifts from Nordic and global perspectives on current tensions to the personal level. Participants are invited to reflect on the development of their research interests and career paths in this context. The session will consist of four 25-minute round-table discussions in small groups. These discussions will focus on participants’ research and career ideas in relation to the challenges and developments associated with the tensions addressed throughout the day. The roundtable hosts are Alejandra Boni, Helka Kalliomäki, Dequn Teng, and Simon Baumgartinger-Seiringer. The roundtable host will provide a brief input to the small group and prompt discussion questions with the participants. 

About the roundtable hosts

Alejandra Boni’s research focus on human development, higher education, global citizenship and transformative innovation provides a unique contribution to the topic of academic careers in current rapidly changing environments. Helka Kalliomäki’s research focuses on innovation policy and its spatial dimensions, urban and regional development, and the societal impact of research. She has a wide track record of publicly funded research projects and a unique Nordic perspective on research development in recent geopolitical tensions. Dequn Teng is working on human-algorithm interaction in high-stakes settings, and he is part of broader conversations in the LLM+ community. Simon Baumgartinger-Seiringer is a Scientist and Advisor to the Management Board at the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT). He has a background in Economic Geography and is currently focusing on place-based perspectives on transformative innovation and strategic industrial policies. Simon will provide input on the tensions that arise in research on regional innovation systems and industrial policy. These more intimate round-table discussions provide a space for exchanging tentative ideas and personal reflections on academic life in times of tension.

Preliminary timetable of the early career conference day

  • 08:30-09:30 Arrival frame with registration and breakfast provided by the organisers 
  • 09:30-10:00 Introduction and ice breaker 
  • 10:00-11:30 Session 1: Nordic perspectives on current tensions 
  • 11:30-12:30 Lunch  
  • 12:30-14:00 Session 2: Global perspectives on tensions in the context of AI 
  • 14:00-14:30 Coffee break 
  • 14:30-14:50 Input on higher education in times of tension 
  • 15:00-17:00 Session 3: Research & career paths, 4 roundtables 
  • 17:00 Closing of the day and walk together to the city centre  
  • 18:00-20:00 Dinner with ECC participants & teachers (costs covered) 
  • 20:00 Drinks together with main conference participants (at own cost) 

Hotel costs for participants from Eu-SPRI member institutions are covered from 12.04.2027 to 14.04.2027 for 2 nights. 

For inquiries about the Early Career Conference, contact johanna.kalliokoski(at)uwasa.fi 

Page updated 17.9.2026.