University Of Helsinki Appoints New Rector For Swedish School Of Social Science

Tuomas Martikainen was selected as the new rector at a meeting of the school’s board on 8 December 2022 based on a proposal from the appointment committee. The board voted on the matter after a comprehensive discussion.

Tuomas Martikainen completed the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 2004 and is currently a docent in the study of religions at the University of Helsinki. He has had a long academic career as a researcher, university lecturer, professor and director. He is well-known at the Swedish School of Social Science after previously serving as its professor of ethnic relations and as an external member of the school’s board.

From 2015 to 2020, Martikainen was the director of the multidisciplinary Migration Institute of Finland, including the Migration Centre of Swedish-speaking Finland in Vaasa. In addition, Martikainen has worked as research leader, deputy leader and management group member in several research projects. Through his various leadership roles, particularly as director of the Migration Institute of Finland, Martikainen has amassed leadership experience encompassing financial and human resources responsibilities. He currently works as university lecturer at the University of Eastern Finland.

Disqualification issue resolved
It was originally planned that the school’s board would select the rector at a meeting on 29 November 2022. However, following an allegation of disqualification by one of the candidates for the rectorship on 25 November 2022, the board decided to shelve the matter.

Before its meeting on 8 December, the board requested a summary of information relevant to the disqualification issue and a summary of the legal considerations to be taken into account.

Based on these summaries, the board found the allegation of disqualification to be unsubstantiated and was thus able to proceed with the appointment.