The invitation has been shared with Nordic trade unions in the university sector via email.  

Programme 

Tuesday, 10 June: Day 1 – Welcome 

Arrival in Vaasa 

Accommodation in Original Sokos Hotel Royal Vaasa
(Address: Hovioikeudenpuistikko 18, Vaasa) 

19.00 – Welcome Dinner 

Restaurant Hejm (Address: Blå vägen 1B, Vaasa) 

• Welcoming address from the organisers 

• Between menu courses: Greetings and current issues per participating country in free format (c. 5 mins per country) 

Wednesday, 11 June: Day 2 – The attractiveness of universities as employers? 

8.45 – Departure from hotel 

Walk to Hanken premises 

9.00–10.30 – Session 1: Can universities compete with salaries? 

• Welcoming address: Vice Rector Sören Kock, Hanken 

• Presentation: “Salaries at Nordic universities” – Analyst Tomi Husa, Akava Works (online) 

• Presentation: “Are University Salaries Competitive Enough? A Look at Academic Pay Scales” – Professor Peter Björk, Hanken (Vaasa) 

• Discussion, questions, and comments
  Facilitator: Chair Santeri Palviainen, YLL/OAJ
  Location: Auditorium, Hanken 

Walk to Åbo Akademi premises. Short coffee break. 

11.00–12.45 – Session 2: The composition of university salaries in the Nordic countries – finding and defining the framework between labour market, university funding, and other factors 

• Presentations per country (c. 15 mins per country): What are the basic elements of university salary system, its current challenges, and plans for development?
  Facilitator: Åke Finne, YLL/OAJ
  Location: Auditorium Bruhn, Åbo Akademi 

13.00–14.00 – Lunch 

Svenska klubben/Bacchus (Address: Strandgatan 4, Vaasa) 

Return to hotel (c. 10–15 mins walk) 

14.30–16.00 – Session 3: Academic working hours – how to deal with time and workload? 

• Presentations per country (c. 15 mins per country): What are the current issues and plans for development regarding university working hours, workload, and well-being?
  Facilitator: Hanna Tanskanen, OAJ
  Location: Hotel seminar room 

16.00–16.30 – Coffee break 

16.30–18.00 – Session 4: Current topics from the European level 

• Presentation “A union perspective on European higher education and research policy – ETUCE response and advocacy” – Jorunn Dahl Norgård, NAR/ETUCE 

• Discussion, questions, and comments
  Facilitator: Miia Ijäs-Idrobo, Union of Research Professionals
  Location: Hotel seminar room 

19.00 – Dinner 

Restaurant Fröj (Address: Hovioikeudenpuistikko 19, Vaasa) 

Thursday, 12 June: Day 3 – Current science and higher education policy in the Nordic countries 

9.00–10.20 – Session 5: Current science policy and R&D funding in the Nordic countries – the role and position of universities? 

• Presentation: “Strategic Decision Processes on Public RDI Investments – Results of a Comparative Analysis” – Kirsi Pulkkinen, Sweco (online) 

• Discussion, questions, and comments
  Facilitator: President Antti Pajala, Union of Research Professionals
  Location: Hotel seminar room 

10.20–10.30 – Short break 

10.30–12.00 – Session 6: Academic freedom and its current challenges 

• Presentation: “Academic Freedom and Resilience in Science” – Rector Minna Martikainen, University of Vaasa 

• Presentation: “Academic Freedom in the Nordics – Report from a Union Task Force” – Jon Iddeng, Forskerforbundet 

• Discussion, questions, and comments
  Facilitator: Chair Teija Laitinen, Finnish Union of University Professors
  Location: Hotel seminar room 

12.00 – Closing Words 

• Towards Nordic Meeting 2026 in… 

• Lunch at the hotel 

• Safe travels back home! 

The event is organised by: Research Professionals, Finnish Union of University Professors, Trade Union of Education OAJ, The Union for University Teachers and Researchers in Finland (YLL).