6.–7.10.2026
Åbo Akademi University, Astra (Porthaninkatu 3, Turku)
Join us at the brand new Astra building of Åbo Akademi to discuss the latest developments at the Centre for Sustainable Ocean Science!
Under the overarching theme of interdisciplinary marine research, we will share results from the various SOS case studies that examine, for example, restoration, biodiversity markets, coastal fisheries, and governance challenges in the Archipelago Sea area, as well as the opportunities and obstacles of interdisciplinary and art-science collaborations. We also invite stakeholders to offer their input as we cross the halfway mark of our five-year research plan.
For broader perspectives on tackling critical sustainability and biodiversity challenges, we will hear keynote talks by Senior Specialist Kirsi-Marja Lonkila (Ministry of the Environment) and Professor of Management and Organization Satu Teerikangas (University of Turku).
ARRIVING
- Enter the Astra building from the main entrance in the Porthaninkatu-Henrikinkatu intersection.
- Check in at the info desk in the lobby.
- The venue is accessible. All sessions and meals in the program take place on the ground floor.
PROGRAM
Note that the presentations and keynotes will be livestreamed, but the workshops, posters, and SOS Outcome Sessions are in-person only. Most sessions take place in the Bonfire room, with the exception of two SOS Outcome Sessions on Wednesday at 14:30.
DAY 1 – TUESDAY 6.10.
11:30–13:00 Arrivals (LOBBY) & Lunch (SOLSIDAN)
13:00–14:15 Opening Remarks & Presentations (BONFIRE / LIVESTREAM)
Opening Remarks
Patrik Henelius
Vice Rector, Åbo Akademi University
Introduction to the SOS Annual Meeting 2026
Anna Törnroos-Remes
SOS Director & Professor in Marine Ecology, Åbo Akademi University
Assessing the Genetic Diversity of Baltic Sea Stoneworts (Chara spp.) — Setting a Framework to Support Global Conservation and Restoration Goals
Roxana Preston
Åbo Akademi University & Biodiversea LIFE IP
Cumulative Impacts of Human Pressures on Coastal Fish and Fisheries in the Archipelago Sea and Åland
Henri Sumelius
Åbo Akademi University
Restoring Privately Owned Coastal Waters: Legal Pathways from Ecological Need to Implementation
Ellen Åberg
Åbo Akademi University
14:15–15:00 Keynote (BONFIRE / LIVESTREAM)
Kirsi-Marja Lonkila
Senior Specialist, Ministry of the Environment
15:00–15:30 Coffee (LOBBY)
15:30–17:00 Workshop (BONFIRE)
Investing in Restoration for Watershed Resilience
Magnus Hellström
Åbo Akademi University
Heidi Herlevi
Åbo Akademi University
Anna Törnroos-Remes
Åbo Akademi University
Jonas Spohr
Åbo Akademi University
17:00–17:15 Project Presentation & Survey (BONFIRE)
Taking Water Resources into Account as Part of Clean Investments
Matias Scheinin
Turku University of Applied Science
Jenny Wikström
Turku University of Applied Science
The VHOPIS project (Vesivarojen huomioiminen osana puhtaita investointeja) at Turku University of Applied Sciences investigates the risks that the green transition poses to the local environment, with a specific focus on aquatic systems (the “green-green dilemma”). A key aspect of the project is involving various types of stakeholders and hearing their views. SOS annual meeting attendees are invited to complete a survey with questions about their views on the environmental impacts of the green transition.
17:15–19:00 Buffet Dinner, Networking & Posters (LOBBY)
A light buffet dinner will be served and participants are invited to view and discuss the posters over refreshments.
DAY 2 – WEDNESDAY 7.10.
9:00–9:15 Coffee (LOBBY)
9:15–10:00 Keynote (BONFIRE / LIVESTREAM)
Leadership for Biodiversity – A Call and Tall Order for Everyone
Satu Teerikangas
Professor of Management and Organization, University of Turku
10:00–11:15 SOS Booster Project Presentations (BONFIRE / LIVESTREAM)
Moderator: Einat Amir, Åbo Akademi University
Whale Farmer
Vespa Laine
Fern Orchestra
Conny Sjöqvist
Åbo Akademi University
Meanings of Archipelago Forests. A Co-productive Art-science Project with Two Archipelago Secondary Schools
Otso Kortekangas
Åbo Akademi University
With Baltic Herring: Towards Multispecies Sensing, Sharing and Listening
Kati Roover
Independent Multidisciplinary Artist
Kaisa Roover
Sustainability Expert
11:15–12:30 Lunch (SOLSIDAN)
12:30–14:00 Workshop (BONFIRE)
Pasi Hyvärilä
Town of Pargas/Parainen
Essi Kärpijoki
Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Laura Pietilä
Regional Council of Southwest Finland
Mari Pohja-Mykrä
Ministry of the Environment
Henrik Ringbom
Åbo Akademi University
Sonja Salovius-Laurén
Åbo Akademi University
Nina Tynkkynen
Åbo Akademi University
14:00–14:10 Closing Remarks (BONFIRE)
14:10–14:30 Coffee (LOBBY)
14:30–16:00 SOS Outcome Sessions (BONFIRE / STELLA / CASTOR)
The SOS Outcome Sessions feature project presentations and workshops by SOS affiliates and collaborators. Please note that these sessions are parallel. Participants can freely choose one of them to attend.
BONFIRE
Eduardo Abrantes
Åbo Akademi University
Laura Hellsten
Åbo Akademi University
STELLA
Habitability in Practice: Participatory Sustainability Assessment and Micro-Credential Development
Cecilia Lundberg
The Archipelago Institute at Åbo Akademi University
Robin Reuter
The Archipelago Institute at Åbo Akademi University
CASTOR
Sea Our Sound: Embodied Interfaces for Baltic Sea Monitoring Data with X-Modal
Jaana Okulov
Academy of Fine Arts
Roberto Pugliese Fusco
Academy of Fine Arts
REGISTRATION
The event is free or charge, but for catering and communication purposes we ask you to register in advance.
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
- access to all program sessions
- all meals marked on the program
IN-PERSON REGISTRATION FOR THE EVENT HAS CLOSED, but you can view parts of the program via livestream.
ONLINE:
- Please note that only the keynotes and presentations will be livestreamed.
- Registration for the livestream is open until the end of the event (i.e. no deadline).
- On a mobile device, you will need to use the Zoom app to view the livestream. On a computer/laptop, you can view the livestream directly via a browser.
- You can write questions to the speakers in the chat. Time permitting, we will take up questions from the livestream chat during the Q&A segments.
CONTACT
For any questions, please contact us at sos@abo.fi.
