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Prizes awarded from the fund of Harry Elving at the Opening Ceremony for the Academic Year 2026–2027 at Åbo Akademi University
The following prizes were awarded at the opening ceremony, from the fund of Harry Elving:
From the fund of Harry Elving, a prize of €3 000 for developing a positive working environment:
Senior University Lecturer in Business Administration Ingrid Biese-Stjernberg is a warm, genuine and thoughtful colleague who is always willing to help, whether by taking part in organised events, listening to colleagues through thick and thin, or sharing her knowledge. She is solution-oriented without oversimplifying matters, and her broad knowledge base enables her to understand all sorts of people with ease. Her thoughts flow freely, and there is a real sense of openness in Ingrid’s company.
The prize may be used freely to develop the working conditions or the community at the workplace.
From the fund of Harry Elving, the teacher prize of €6 000 is awarded:
Students describe Mikael von Numers, Senior University Lecturer in Environmental Biology, as a teacher with a unique combination of in-depth expertise, humility and genuine commitment. His extensive knowledge of biology never ceases to impress students, whilst he conveys the subject in a way that sparks curiosity and a desire to learn more. Despite his extensive experience and expertise, von Numers always treats his students with warmth and respect. He creates a learning environment where no question feels too small or insignificant, and where students feel confident to participate, discuss and develop. Many students highlight that it was through his teaching during their first year of study that their interest in the many questions posed by biology grew and deepened. He inspires and serves as a role model; students have said that they would like to be just like von Numers when they are one day in the midst of their own careers.
From the fund of Harry Elving, two Supervisor of the Year prizes of €2 500 are awarded:
Annamari Soini, Lecturer in Computer Engineering, is a positive, passionate, knowledgeable, extremely helpful and inspiring supervisor. She offers constructive criticism that helps the work progress. She cares deeply about her students’ wellbeing and success and motivates them without putting pressure on them.
Brita Wårvik, Professor in English Linguistics, is committed and encouraging at every stage of the process and motivates students to persevere through constructive criticism and sound advice. She shows a genuine interest in her students’ theses.
From the fund of Harry Elving, a prize of €6 000 is awarded to the pedagogical visionary and developer of the year:
University Lecturer in Speech and Language Pathology Stina Sundstedt is a dedicated and pedagogically skilled teacher who creates a clear and supportive learning environment for her students. Through well-structured course plans, carefully considered teaching methods and a genuine interest in her students’ learning, she makes even complex subjects accessible and engaging. Sundstedt combines theory and practice in a way that helps students understand both what they are doing and why they are doing it. This fosters a deeper understanding of the subject and strengthens the link between knowledge and professional practice.
Two research prizes of €5 000 are awarded from the fund of Harry Elving:
PhD Sami Sanlidag for his doctoral thesis in cell biology entitled Molecular and Tissue-Level Insights into Jagged1-Notch Signalling. The thesis constitutes a groundbreaking study that contributes to a greater understanding of the Notch signalling pathway. It addresses key gaps in knowledge and combines several advanced methodological approaches, including cell biology, animal studies, structural biochemistry and modelling.
D.Sc. (Econ. & Bus. Adm.) Linh Duong for her doctoral thesis in international marketing entitled Gender Co-construction and Co-display in Entrepreneurial Pitching Contexts: Towards a Pluralistic Perspective on Gender Research in Entrepreneurship. The thesis is of a very high academic standard and addresses a topical area of research concerning how gender is constructed in entrepreneurial pitching contexts. Through original and well-founded analyses, based on a rich body of empirical data, the work contributes important insights into how gender norms are formed and challenged.
Two doctoral thesis supervisor prizes of are awarded:
Professor Cecilia Sahlgren and Professor Malin Brännback are awarded for outstanding supervision of doctoral theses.
Cecilia Sahlgren acted as supervisor for Doctor of Philosophy Sami Sanlidag, and Malin Brännback for Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) Linh Duong. With these awards, Åbo Akademi University wishes to recognise the importance of the principal supervisor’s contribution to a doctoral thesis.
From the fund of Harry Elving, a prize of €3 000 in recognition of notable popularization of new research and work for Åbo Akademi University’s awareness in society:
D.Soc.Sc., Docent Marina Lindell is being awarded the prize for her long-standing and extensive commitment to society. Since 2019, she has led the ‘Fika efter kunskap’ (Coffee and Knowledge) event series, which aims to make research accessible to the public. As project leader for the ‘Polarisation in Swedish-speaking Finland’ project, Lindell has worked actively to disseminate research findings within society. Lindell’s research on deliberative democracy has had a significant impact in Finland.
