As far back as I can remember, I always have been involved with the University of Helsinki – at least during my Finnish years. First as an exchange student, then as a majoring student, at some point as a teacher, a junior researcher, and currently as a doctoral researcher. I have met many of my best friends directly or indirectly through the University.

The day of my doctoral defence is one of the greatest memories I cherish, but there are others, too: my theatrical exploits at the Thespians Anonymous’ Midsummer Nights’ Dream and my other activities within various student organizations.  And then there are those small, but gratifying, moments when during teaching, everything falls into place. I have also cherished the little discussions during coffee breaks at symposia, when the seeds are laid for unforeseen cooperation that turns into friendship and new academic insights years later.

Some of the most inspiring moments at the University have been during activities of the Helsinki Literature and the City Network, a research network which I co-founded in 2011 and in which I act as coordinator. More recently, I have been involved in an interdisciplinary research project at the University of Helsinki with ‘urban layers of meaning’ as working title. Working together with people from different backgrounds is one of the most rewarding parts of a researcher’s job.