I have always justified my choice of career by my need to influence society: the great social problems of our time, in particular climate change, loss of biodiversity and diminishing natural resources, are in need of solutions. If something can give meaning to life, it is solving terrible problems like these.

I founded the think tank Demos Helsinki together with my fellow student Roope Mokka ten years ago. We work on issues that are important to both society and me personally. These issues are complex, and they cannot be mastered through any single traditional profession or field of expertise. Or what…

One of the great realisations of my life has been that a group can accomplish much more than an individual. That is why it is important to learn, unceasingly, new methods that can help facilitate collaboration.

My best memories from the University of Helsinki are related to starting my studies and the transformative experience it facilitated. In a blink of an eye, I was being treated as an adult who had something to say, who could create something worthwhile and who was interesting as a person.

I dream that my work could have more influence on society. I dream that we could get climate change under control, and that people could learn to tolerate each other and find meaning in their lives.