When I came to work at the university, I was already familiar with both Nordic and international organisational work in theatre from my previous workplaces, and it was clear to me that I would move on to organisational work in theatre research as well. I was one of the founders of the Nordiska teaterforskare (Association of Nordic Theatre) and served for a time as a member of the board and vice-president. For twelve years, I was a member of the executive committee of the International Federation for Theatre Research (IFTR), four of those years serving as vice-president.

The most important thing in these professional societies has been scientific discussion and co-operation. I view my founding and development of the IFTR New Scholars Forum as my greatest accomplishment during my time as vice-president. The forum gives new researchers a chance to present their work, irrespective of the theme of the conference in sessions chaired by senior scholars, thus encouraging dialogue between senior and novice researchers. Today there are also New Scholars Workshops, where senior scholars offer advice on how to publish an academic article and other research skills. Thanks to the IFTR and our international summer school for researchers, at one point I knew many of the new scholars from various countries. I was also a founder of our own Finnish Teatterintutkimuksen seura (Theatre Research Society).

From 1994 to 1998, I was the head of the Department of Comparative Literature, Theatre Studies and Aesthetics at the University of Helsinki. I served as deputy director of the Department of Art Studies, and in 2007 as its director. Most of my administrative work, however, has been connected to theatre or international co-operation. For example, I have served on the governing boards of several theatres as well as the Theatre museum. Even after retiring, I still devote time to Finnish and international assessments, often because researchers in the Nordic countries use several languages and assessors need to be familiar with them.

Translated as coursework by Sara Jormakka, Saana Kallioinen, Tanja Koski, Suvi Lehikoinen, Tuomas Mäenpää, Emilia Mäkinen, Emma Niemi, Eerika Norja, Anu Piippo, Riina Vepsä, Saara Viitanen, Marilena Constantinou, Liisa Eloranta, Teemu Heikman, Marika Holmberg, Cecilia Ihatsu, Juliette Lempinen, Elviira Mattila, Sinimarja Niironen, Milla Rautio, Riikka-Liisa Salomaa, Sebastian Wandao & Elina Virros.

Revised by Nely Keinänen & John Calton