Samu Nyström
Humanist of the day

Samu Nyström

Samu Nyström PhD is a history researcher and urban historian. He has participated in a great variety of research projects and been active in promoting the public understanding of science. His tasks have taken him from riding in ambulances to clambering along fortress walls; from sharing his knowledge in the lecture hall and radio studio, and in the course of a walk around the city. In his archival work, Samu moves via the scholar’s carrel to the city life of bygone days.

Samu Nyström

Samu Matias Nyström
Born 5 June, 1975, Helsinki.

Master of Arts 2004 and Doctor of Philosophy (Finnish and Nordic History) 2013

Independent scholar, 2013-
Postgraduate, University of Helsinki, 2004–13
Entrepreneur and non-fiction author 2004–
City of Helsinki’s History of Emergency medical service of Helsinki project, researcher, 2004–2005
Finnish Medical Association’s Doctors in Finnish Society project, Project Head, 2007–2010
History of Helsinki’s Rescue Department project, Researcher, 2010
History of Finnish Civil Defence project (SPEK), writer
University of Helsinki’s Historical material, Co-ordinator 2007–2012
Medi-Heli ry’s  (Helicopter Emergency medical service) History of Medi-Heli project, researcher 2013
History of Helsinki’s Finnish Adult Education Centre of the City of Helsinki project, researcher 2013–2014

Research interests
In general: Urban history, history of local administration, history of healthcare, history of education
In particular: Urban communities and urban life during crisis, history of medical profession, history of civil defence and emergency services, history of adult education

Awards and special accomplishments
University of Helsinki’s Koskimies Foundation Award for best Doctoral thesis, 2014

Photo: Pekka Lähteenmäki
Written by Samu Nyström and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by John Calton

From ambulances to fortress walls, brilliant chandeliers to murky cellars – all in a day’s work for the historian

If you ask Samu Nyström PhD what he values most in academia and the daily work of a researcher, he cites the opportunities to acquaint himself with human life in its splendid variety, seen both as objects of study and as working communities. His research commissions have ranged from riding- sirens blaring - in ambulances, visiting the homes of Finland’s Great and Good, and documenting all kinds of places and spaces which are well and truly off the beaten track.

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My best moments in the University

My best moments have been all the encounters I’ve had with various people, which is what University life is really all about. The university is a community of curious and active people who work on interesting things and are passionate about their interests, so something new can be expected from almost every meeting.

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