EDUCA Doc workshop brought doctoral students together in Helsinki

EDUCA doctoral students and supervisors participated in the two-day program that included a workshop on Thursday January 22, and attending the Educa-fair on Friday January 23.

The event also saw the launch of an award ceremony for doctoral students. In the first EDUCA Doc -award four researchers were awarded for their outstanding contribution to either teamwork, building team spirit, scientific accomplishment, or societal engagement. The award winners were:

Reetta Kyynäräinen (University of Turku):

"Reetta started her PhD-study on 1.1.2025, and now she has submitted her PhD for review with three articles (two accepted and one submitted). In addition, she has been a key person in creating a new STEM-intervention study with more than 200 teachers with a big societal impact. She is a great team working person and enhances team spirit. Highly outstanding performance!"

"Reetta Kyynäräinen’s doctoral research has progressed exceptionally quickly and efficiently, and she has just submitted her dissertation for pre-examination. Despite this rapid pace, she has maintained a high scientific standard in her work and she has also participated actively in data collection for use by others."

Johannes Gale (University of Helsinki):

"Johannes has made outstanding contributions to the doctoral community at the University of Helsinki. Over the past two years, he has served as a doctoral student representative, playing a key role in organizing the annual Emerging Scholars in Educational and Learning Sciences (ESLES) conference and regular evening schools for doctoral researchers in the Faculty of Educational Sciences.

In addition to these formal responsibilities, Johannes has actively supported his fellow PhD students informally by assisting with their work. He consistently meets everyone with warmth and kindness, creating an inclusive atmosphere by inviting all to join for lunch, events, and informal gatherings. His commitment to community building has significantly enhanced the doctoral experience for his peers. We are extremely fortunate to have him as part of our community!"

 Mitcho Hristov (University of Jyväskylä):

"EDUCA-DOC student Mitcho Hristov is exceptionally dedicated, not only to his own research but also to fostering team spirit among doctoral students. This has been repeatedly brought to our attention by various sources: Mitcho’s fellow students, university staff, and even contacts outside the university. He consistently demonstrates a sense of community and a willingness to support his peers, encouraging them to achieve their best. Mitcho provides continuous support to both doctoral and undergraduate students in applying statistical methods. He has also played a key role in organizing major seminars (e.g., SDG4) related to the international EDUMA master’s programme. His technical expertise, combined with a calm attitude, has proven invaluable in enabling global participation in these learning experiences.

Alongside Mitcho’s contributions to team-building, he has made exceptionally rapid progress in his research. The first article of his doctoral thesis has already been accepted for publication in one of the top journals in the field. He has also completed the analyses for his second article, and the writing process is well underway. This reflects his strong academic potential and determination as a researcher. One of his particular strengths is his passion for studying advanced statistical methods. The same persistence he has shown in studying methods is also evident in his remarkably quick acquisition of the Finnish language. All in all, Mitcho Hristov is a community builder, an active and helpful colleague, and a talented researcher whose contribution is significant both in terms of research and the academic community."

Ellen Sahlström (Aalto University):

"Ellen has shown exceptional maturity and promise, both in her academic work and in her ability to collaborate effectively beyond the university. She has coordinated and communicated with our NGO partner, our collaborators at Harvard and Bocconi, and personnel at Statistics Finland, among many others, in a consistently reliable and professional manner. Within the department of economics at Aalto, she has been a generous and constructive colleague, often helping others understand data and research processes. She combines strong competence with kindness and a clear sense of responsibility. She is truly outstanding!"

Warm congratulations to the award winners!