Aalto University: Aalto University starts change negotiations in its Aalto ARTS Books unit

On the 28th of November 2022, Aalto University will start change negotiations concerning the personnel of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture’s publishing unit Aalto ARTS Books. Four people will be in the scope of the negotiations. According to preliminary estimates, the possible need for reduction is up to two people.

Aalto ARTS Books publishes literature in the fields of art, design and architecture: research papers, textbooks and manuals, art books, general works and doctoral theses. Aalto University is considering downsizing and reorganizing the operations of Aalto ARTS Books. In the future, Aalto ARTS Books would focus on dissertation-level, art-related theses and selected teaching materials, and Aalto ARTS Books would abandon its loss-making commercial activities. Despite the planned changes, all dissertations of the School of Arts, Design and Architecture would continue to be freely available.

The planned downsizing of Aalto ARTS Books’ operations is linked to the broader efforts of Aalto University and the School of Arts, Design and Architecture to focus on their core tasks and to organise their activities in a way that best supports the core tasks. In line with the objectives of the current Finnish Government Programme, the School of Arts, Design and Architecture has significantly increased its student numbers in recent years, while at the same time the School’s as well as Aalto University’s relative funding has decreased. As the economic environment changes, the operations of Aalto ARTS Books need to be reassessed.