10/17/2025

A memorial seminar honored the distinguished research career of Academy Professor Katariina Salmela-Aro

On October 10, 2025, colleagues, friends, students, and family members gathered at the University of Helsinki to celebrate the achievements and legacy of the late EDUCA co-PI, Academy Professor Katariina Salmela-Aro, in the field of developmental psychology in Finland and internationally.

Sari Lindblom, Rector of the University of Helsinki, reminisced about her former fellow student. Eija Juntunen and Olli-Pekka Heinimäki unveiled the portrait by Markku Verkasalo, which will be added to the university's portrait collection, Galleria Academica.

The memorial seminar was chaired by university researcher, associate professor Katja Upadyaya, who now leads Salmela-Aro's Minds Hub research group. Dean Johanna Mäkelä opened the seminar by highlighting Salmela-Aro's enormous significance for educational research at the University of Helsinki and its international standing.

Professor Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen from the University of Jyväskylä presented Katariina Salmela-Aro's last major research project, the EDUCA Flagship, and the fruitful collaboration that took place within it. Later, professor Matti Sarvimäki from Aalto University also explained to the audience Salmela-Aro's significant role in launching the flagship project.

A choir of students from the University of Helsinki performed a cappella music between speeches. The event also featured reminiscences from Professor of Psychology, Emerita Lea Pulkkinen from the University of Jyväskylä.

The event was honoured by the presence of Salmela-Aro's close research colleagues and friends from Finland and abroad. In the photo below, top left, is Professor Frosso Motti-Stefanidi from Greece (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). At the top right is Professor and long-time friend since the years they studied together, Kirsti Lonka, who spoke about their joint research on learning, technology, and well-being between 2013 and 2025.

Markku Verkasalo, who took the portrait, recalled the photo shoot with Salmela-Aro a few years ago.

After the lunch break, the Salmela-Aro memorial seminar continued with both international and domestic speeches and greetings. The afternoon keynote speech was given by a long-time close colleague, Professor Barbara Schneider from Michigan State University in the United States.