A Nordic conference that will bring together scholars of higher education, science and leadership. Organized by the University of Helsinki’s Network for Higher Education and Innovation Research (HEINE), the Consortium of Higher Education Researchers in Finland (CHERIF) and Hanasaari – the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Centre.

Finland and Sweden have both undertaken extensive academic reforms in recent years that have been broadly debated within the network of scholars from these two countries. The common structural elements and close history of the Nordic countries indicates a need for comparative studies between them, where the aim would be to strengthen and encourage younger researchers, together with established senior researchers, to undertake comparative research about higher education and academic leadership in both national and global contexts.

The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for the discussion of research findings relating to the phenomena and trends of higher education reforms and developments in the Nordic countries. The Conference will seek to address the following questions: Who are the major actors or key players in higher education; and who are those who decide on the resources for higher education and science, now and in the future?

The conference keynote speakers are:

University Chancellor Lars Haikola, Sweden
Ph.D. Hans Mäntylä, Aalto University, Finland
Ph.D. Sheila Slaughter, University of Georgia, USA 
Ph.D. Susan Wright, Aarhus University, Denmark



Practical information

Conference fee: 150 euro (students 100 euro). Fee includes participation, refreshments and lunch during the conference, as well as dinner on Thursday 9th.

Registration: please register through the link above before January 20th, 2012.

Venue: The venue is situated 5 km west from Helsinki city centre. Hanasaari Cultural Centre, Hanasaarenranta 5, 02100 Espoo, Finland.

Accommodation: Rooms are available at the hotel of Hanasaari Cultural Centre to a reduced price of 94 euro/single room, 128 euro/double room. Please contact the sales office at +358 9 4350 2411, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , mentioning the fact that you are a participant in the conference in question.

Conference Programme

Invitation and further information:

Invitation Nordic Conference

Organizing committee

Executive group:
Timo Aarrevaara, University of Helsinki, Conference Chair ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Elisabeth Berg, Luleå University of Technology, Vice-Chair ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Lisa Lönnroos, Coordinator ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )

Committee Members:
Antti Ainamo, University of Turku ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Mats Benner, Lund University ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Sven Hemlin, University of Gothenburg ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Rune Premfors, Stockholm University, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Turo Virtanen, University of Helsinki ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Jussi Välimaa, University of Jyväskylä ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )
Oili-Helena Ylijoki, University of Tampere ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it )