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Laura Kolbe

Laura Kristina Kolbe
September 9 1957, Bogotá, Colombia

Master of Arts 1982 (General History) and Doctor of Philosophy 1989 (Finnish and Nordic History), University of Helsinki, Docent of History 1994

Professor of European History, University of Helsinki 2005-

Historiographer for Kulosaaren Kotiseutusäätiö (a foundation representing a coastal district of Helsinki) (1983–88)
Historiographer for the Student Union of the University of Helsinki (1989–95)
Historiographer of the City of Helsinki (1996–2002 and 2005).

Secondary occupations include curator of the Mannerheim Museum (1982–91), project secretary for SITRA (1987-89), adviser to the First Lady of Finland, Eeva Ahtisaari (1996–2000). Editor of Suomen kulttuurihistoria I-V ('Finnish cultural history vols. I-V') (1998–2004), editor of Tiedepolitiikka ('Science policy') magazine (2003–06).

Publications, research projects and scientific activities

Written by Laura Kolbe and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by Johanna Spoof. Revised by John Calton.

Helsinki Walks – Urban Studies on Foot

In the autumn of 2013, I was involved with and in charge of the concept of Helsinki Walks Oy (HW Oy). There was a need for a recognisable operator that would focus on commodifying urban history in a way that would be interesting to both visitors and locals, as well as impartial. We want to develop Helsinki Walks, which was founded by urban researchers and students, into a knowledge base that reveals the many layers of the city and fascinating aspects of the inhabitants' daily lives. The company has two main aims: to make good use of the urban research and teaching that takes place at the University of Helsinki, and process this historical knowledge into tangible commodities, be they artefacts or services, that match the needs of the urban culture.

To attain these goals, we need to come up with new ways to convey an understanding of the city's unique cultural identity–to its inhabitants, schoolchildren and visitors alike. HW Oy wants to encourage professionals in the cultural sector to capitalise upon and share their expertise of the field.

An important aspect of the project is to employ young arts graduates and create a site where the threshold for marketing what you know and acting entrepreneurially would be kept low. The project offers the students of the humanities an opportunity to themselves become the producers and updaters of this information.

Teaching on foot, getting to know the urban culture.​
Teaching on foot, getting to know the urban culture.​

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