I am a geospatial data and digital innovations expert with scientific and hands-on experience in co-creation of transformative land use and landscape sustainability solutions, tackling systemic nature-human challenges and climate change impacts in the urban, rural and coastal environments.

My methodological expertise lies in combined analysis of geospatial data from multiple sources (EO data, community-based place-based data, historical data, observation data) and turning globally open data and digital tools to socially innovative local solutions through stakeholder engagement and mutual co-creation processes.

Most of my professional activities are in the interface of science and practice and I have strong emphasis on coupling research with skills and competence development and societal impacts around the geospatial data, technologies and application in wider actor and knowledge networks. I have worked in the context of spatial planning, urban resilience, land management and biodiversity/landscape conservation in Europe and Africa. My engagement to development cooperation processes over the decades have made me an advocate of open science, open data and science diplomacy.

Since January 2018, I have been a Professor in Applied Digital Geospatial Research at the Department of Geography and Geology. I have been leading approximately 30 research, education, development cooperation and consultancy projects since 2005 at the University of Turku.

I am currently representing UTU in several scientific and professional networks, consortiums and communities including:

• Finnish University Network in Geoinformatics (FIUGINET)
• Regional Spatial data network for SW Finland (Lounaistieto.fi)
• National Open Geospatial Research Infrastructure for Finland (Geoportti RI)
• Location Innovation Hub (LIH)
• Digital for Development Hub of the European Commission (D4Dhub), Civil society and Academia Advisory Group
• Tanzania Resilience Academy

My research integrates advanced geospatial data analysis, participatory approaches, and digital innovation to address landscape change, sustainable land and resource management, climate resilience, and transformative geospatial education. I combine quantitative and qualitative, place- and community-based methodologies to co-produce actionable knowledge that bridges scientific research with societal needs, fostering inclusive, equitable, and sustainable development. I have describes some of the research themes below and more information is available in the web pages of my research team and communities.

1. Landscape Change Science & Geospatial Methods
I develop and apply location-based methods, including GeoAI and multi-source geospatial data, to study landscape change and land use dynamics. My work uncovers the complex, intertwined processes that shape landscapes—particularly those of cultural heritage and ecological value—while assessing the impacts of urbanization and intensification on biodiversity, human wellbeing, and ecosystem services. By combining landscape science with both quantitative and qualitative spatial analysis, my research aims to better inform sustainable land use and natural resource planning and management.

2. Participatory Spatial Planning & Inclusive Digital Tools
A central focus of my research is the co-development of digital, participatory and community place-based tools (e.g., PGIS, PPGIS, VGIS) and solutions that integrate local knowledge and values into spatial planning. Through action research and collaboration with practitioners, we embed participatory methods in urban, rural, coastal, and marine spatial planning processes, ensuring that digital approaches are inclusive, relevant, and adaptable. This work translates community perceptions and practices into practical planning solutions, enhancing legitimacy and equity in decision-making.

3. Open Digital Innovations for Urban Climate Resilience
I research how open-source digital technologies, Earth observation, and community co-creation can advance climate risk assessment and adaptation, especially in rapidly urbanizing African contexts. Our research closes the gap between global data and local needs by integrating open geospatial data and participatory processes to create practical, locally-relevant climate services—supporting more effective and just climate adaptation and resilience-building in cities.

4. Digital Skills & Transformative Learning in Geospatial Education
My research advances challenge-driven and transformative geospatial education, leveraging open data, FOSS technologies, and GeoAI. Through initiatives like GeoICT4e, Resilience Academy, Geoportti RI and LIH, our team co-creates interdisciplinary, problem-based learning environments with universities and innovation ecosystems, boosting students’ employability, entrepreneurial skills, and capacity to address real-world sustainability challenges. Education and research are deeply intertwined: students actively generate research data and solutions, maximizing impact for both learning and society.

5. Digital Social Innovation for Sustainable Development
I examine the creation and scaling of digital social innovations, particularly in the Global South, focusing on co-created geospatial solutions that empower communities and catalyze systemic change. Our studies unpack the spatial dynamics of innovation ecosystems and living labs, and harness digital and participatory tools for sustainable development. Projects like the MCL methodology and the Climate Risk Database exemplify how open geospatial platforms, FOSS, and stakeholder co-production can foster responsible entrepreneurship and support transformative, equitable pathways for development and climate action.

I coordinate one of the three Geography MSc specialization tracks, Applied Geospatial Research, and annually run four of the core courses in the specialization module:

• MAAN7710 Specialisation in Geography, track Applied Geospatial Research, 5 ECTS
• MAAN7771 Geospatial Data Management and Visualization, 10 ECTS
• MAAN7772 GeoAI and Participatory Mapping for Sustainability Transformations, 10 ECTS
• MAAN7839 Geospatial Data Challenge Campaign, 5 ECTS
  
  

Additionally, I contribute annually with lectures to several other Geography courses (BSc, MSc):

• MAAN6091 Introduction to Geography, 5 ECTS
• MAAN7011 Theory and methodology in Geography, 5 ECTS
• MAAN7052 Geography Colloquium, 3 ECTS
• MAAN7742 Governance of Sustainable Cities and Societies, 6 ECTS
  ​​​​​​​
  

In addition to the UTU courses, I am an active developer of online learning materials, which our DIDAIhub and Resilience Academy communities co-create and share via webpages and open-access platforms, such as Digicampus.

I am an academic mentor for MSc students who choose the specialization track in Applied Geospatial Research, supporting students in their study and career planning. Currently, I supervise nine (9) MSc students and seven (7) PhD students.

I have an extensive history of teaching at UTU since 2002, first as a university lecturer and later as a professor. Most of my teaching experience relates to the applications and practical uses of digital geospatial data, tools, and methods. I also have explicit interests in teaching the application of geospatial data and methods in landscape science, land change research, historical landscapes, and land use planning.

I have run several institutional and multidisciplinary learning and competence development projects during my career, particularly in close collaboration with our Tanzanian university partners. These projects have specifically focused on the co-creation of challenge-driven learning pedagogies for geospatial and ICT education. I also work closely with colleagues from the Faculty of Technology (software engineering, innovation, entrepreneurship) to advance these learning innovations.

Given my extensive history of working in international development, I have planned and organized several hands-on geospatial training courses for practitioners over the years, largely as part of international cooperation projects in Africa.