Heidi Kuusniemi to head Digital Economy research platform at University of Vaasa

Before joining the University of Vaasa, Kuusniemi worked as Head of Department and Professor at the Navigation and Positioning department of the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute, part of National Land Survey of Finland. She is an Adjunct Professor at Tampere University of Technology and at Aalto University.

"Heidi Kuusniemi has extensive expertise in digitalisation and telecommunications technology, covering not only technology but also corporate business, communications and the renewal of the public sector. Her expertise supports brilliantly the development of research and innovation throughout the university," says rector Jari Kuusisto.

The digital economy is one of the cornerstones of growth and employment as well as an important innovator for the industry, business, services and procedures. The Digital Economy platform of the University of Vaasa is an open research platform for interdisciplinary research on innovations enabled by new technology as well as their impact on individuals, organisations and society. Possible research objects include AI, machine learning and the impact of digitalisation on ways of working and communicating.

The research platform makes use of the multidisciplinary expertise found at the university along with extensive cooperation with businesses, the public sector, and other research institutes and institutes of higher education.

"To me, the most interesting aspect of my job is the possibility to influence the renewal of the University of Vaasa in a goal-oriented way and to use my expertise and my networks through extensive collaboration. As I am originally from Jakobstad, it is also nice to go back to Ostrobothnia," states Heidi Kuusniemi.

Kuusniemi has over 15 years of work experience in research and product development of positioning technology. She is also the chairperson of the Nordic Navigation Association and an advisor for the satellite navigation teams of the European Commission and the European Space Agency. From January to March 2017, Kuusniemi worked as visiting researcher at Stanford University in the United States. She received her doctorate in science from Tampere University of Technology in 2005.

Further information

Rector Jari Kuusisto, University of Vaasa tel. +358 (0)29 449 8291, jari.kuusisto(at)uwasa.fi
Heidi Kuusniemi, tel. +358 (0)40 653 2228