Academic success is mainly defined by research output, and international visibility is increasingly important. However, especially in the humanities, we have additional responsibilities, some of which are relevant at a more local level. We are to safeguard cultural heritage, disseminate academic insight to the Finnish public, and strengthen national assets –the things that are unique about Finland. Aligning these two big requirements in everyday life is not always easy. Here is how I try to pursue this:

Time and again, one hears how important team work is. True – but how is this to be put in practice? In the humanities, it is particularly difficult to implement. So much of our work requires a contemplative individual brooding over a specific topic.

Gauteng is South Africa’s smallest, yet most populated province. Its capital is the economic hub Johannesburg. Further to the north lies Pretoria, South Africa’s executive capital with the seat of the South African government. A team with members from Helsinki, Gothenburg, Pretoria and Cape Town is currently carrying out research on language contact in the extremely multilingual and dynamic peri-urban areas close to these major South African cities.

My dreams? There are quite many: for instance, to see our University become a more thoroughly international work environment. I would also like to experience the day the first person with an African background takes office as the president of Finland.

And then of course, what would make me really…

Together with my colleagues Bo Stråth (Univ. of Helsinki), Rhiannon Stephens (Univ. of Columbia, New York) and several other colleagues from Europe, the US and Africa, we have developed approaches to writing African history drawing on the intellectual precursors of conceptual history. Our website is in English,and a short article…