Jouko Niinimäki takes on leadership role at the University of the Arctic

In this pivotal new role, representing a significant strengthening of UArctic’s leadership capacity, Jouko Niinimäki will serve as the President’s deputy, overseeing all academic affairs and advancing UArctic’s mission of fostering education, research, and innovation in the Arctic region.

The primary function of the position of Executive Vice-President is strategic leadership for all UArctic’s academic activities in education, research, and regional development. The role brings a new platform for collaboration, enabling UArctic to deepen its engagement with international partners while driving impactful initiatives that address critical challenges in the Arctic.

“I am thrilled to welcome Jouko to the core leadership of UArctic. His combined experience from ten years of leadership in the University of Oulu, a large and successful northern research university, and almost as many years on the Board of UArctic is exceptional. He will be a significant addition to our team,” UArctic President Lars Kullerud says.

Having served as the Rector of the University of Oulu in Finland since 2015, Jouko Niinimäki brings a decade of university leadership experience and broad insights from academia to his new position in UArctic. Jouko Niinimäki is currently on his third term on the Board of UArctic where he has also served as a Vice-Chair. Over the past nine years, he has played a key part in the strategic development of UArctic. He has been introduced to the breadth of UArctic’s activities, its governance, and many of the network’s members and stakeholders.

“We have only one Arctic, and its state impacts the entire world. I am truly inspired to join the UArctic team and contribute to shaping the future of the global Arctic. The collaborative work of our 200 member universities and institutions represents a powerful global force in safeguarding and advancing Arctic sustainability through education, research, innovation, and communication, both within and about the Arctic," Jouko Niinimäki says.

Jouko Niinimäki's new role creates new opportunities for the entire UArctic network and especially for Finnish researchers and universities to strengthen Arctic research and impact through one of the world's largest education and research networks.

"Arctic-related themes, indigenous issues, and the environmental, geopolitical, and security dimensions have gained increasing importance globally. UArctic, 'the brain of the North,' will undoubtedly grow in significance in shaping Arctic policy in Finland, Europe, and globally. In this development, the University of Oulu, as one of the most significant universities in the northern regions, should be centrally involved," says Mikko Ayub, Chairman of the Board of the University of Oulu.

Since the founding of UArctic, the University of Oulu has played a significant role, particularly in building its scientific networks. Research Coordinator Kirsi Latola has worked with the UArctic networks since 2005. Professor Jeff Welker was appointed to the first UArctic Chair position in 2017, with a research focus on ecology and biogeochemistry. The UArctic Chair is a distinguished researcher appointed by UArctic who serves as an academic leader for the Arctic region. Professor

Arja Rautio, whose research focuses on the health of Arctic populations, served as UArctic's Director of Research from 2017 to 2023 and continues in her UArctic Chair role in her field. The people serving in UArctic roles are administratively employees of their respective home universities.

Niinimäki will step down from the UArctic Board on April 1, 2025 when his work as UArctic Executive VP formally begins.