About

TURNS is a multidisciplinary research platform that catalyzes innovative and transdisciplinary action for urban sustainability. It emphasizes curiosity-led and scientifically courageous research on cities and urban regions outside the much-studied metropolitan areas, addressing, for example, medium-sized cities and towns, Europe’s shrinking margins, or critical questions in the global South.

TURNS seeks eye-opening conceptualizations and transformative solutions for the urban and spatial aspects of Tampere University’s three research foci: health, society and technology. The platform brings together various research fields and joins experts from different faculties of Tampere University.

In this dynamic and evolving academic context, TURNS will enhance research in themes and real-life challenges and questions including, but not limited to: A) How can changes in urban environments prevent biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change, while providing co-benefits for human health and urban cultural vibrancy? B) How will individuals, communities and institutional actors participate in urban sustainability and be subjects of multi-level policies on sustainability transformations? C) How can novel educational approaches and technological solutions support sustainable urban living?

TURNS was established in 2019 in Tampere as an informal network of researchers, and it has engaged hundreds of attendees in its seminars and meetings since then. In 2024, TURNS became one of the official research platforms of Tampere University.  As a research platform, TURNS will increase its scientific and societal impact and expand its activities locally, nationally, and internationally.

In the future, TURNS aims to develop into a flagship research forum in urban sustainability issues. It will explore and develop truly transdisciplinary approaches, including exemplary practices, co-design processes, and citizen science. Furthermore, TURNS will enhance our academic community in formulating fresh theoretical ideas with potential to renew urban studies, transition studies, and sustainability science. Its international activity will involve efficient and high-level researcher mobility inwards and outwards.

• Panu Lehtovuori, Professor (BEN), Director of TURNS
• Riina Lundman, PhD, Project Manager of TURNS

• Marjaana Niemi, Professor (SOC), Head of the Management Board
• Heikki Hyöty, Professor (MET)
• Anni Jäntti, University Lecturer (MAB)
• Johanna Kujala, Professor (MAB)
• Sami Oikarinen, Senior Research Fellow (MET)
• Eeva Puumala, Senior Research Fellow (SOC)
• Juho Rajaniemi, Professor (BEN)
• Annalisa Sannino, Professor (EDU)
• Jonathon Taylor, Associate Professor (tenure-track) (BEN)
• Kaisa Väänänen, Professor (ITC)