Innovation Centre team introduction: Part 2

The Innovation Centre team introductions continue with presenting three experts. This part introduces Jouko, Head of the Innovation Centre, Legal Councel Sanna and Innovation Manager Pekka.

Jouko Uusitalo – Head of the Innovation Centre

jouko.uusitalo@oulu.fi

Jouko’s role at the Innovation Centre:

x Jouko is operating as the Head of the Innovation Centre. 

x Jouko’s working days consist of discussions in live and Teams-meetings mainly with his team and university’s service unit personnel. In addition to that, emails and planning activities, processes and collaboration can be found on Jouko’s desk.

Jouko’s background: 

x Jouko has studied chemistry and later participated in various natural product and pharmaceutical research projects while doing doctoral research at the University of Oulu. 

x Jouko says his background is diverse: “I have founded a company, worked as a consultant, and been in project related work before 2019, when I came back to the university and the newly established Innovation Centre.” 

x Initially, Jouko worked as Business Development Manager at the Innovation Centre and then began in his current position in 2020. 

Highlights of Jouko's work and opportunities for new learning: 

x The best part of Jouko’s work is to see the emergence of an idea and the development of innovations that can be exploited when moving forward. 

x Developing as an expert in the current role has been associated especially with the University as an organization according to Jouko. For example, when working at the university you learn how to think different things from a common and sometimes very broad perspective. 

On what issues can you contact Jouko?  

x “In all matters relating to innovation and business cooperation. I will direct you forward to the right subject expert, usually an expert in my own team,” says Jouko. Also, Jouko’s own team is always welcome to share their own ponderings with him. 

Jouko’s favorite innovation: 

x Toilet paper holder. Simple innovations that ease everyday life are the best ones in Jouko’s opinion. 

Jouko’s summer 2022: 

x Jouko’s summer was filled with traveling first to Rhodes to get to the vacation mood followed by a bit of domestic tourism and a lot of relaxation at his cottage in Puolanka, Finland. 

Sanna Kivijärvi – Legal Councel

sanna.halikka@oulu.fi

Sanna’s role at the Innovation Centre:

x Sanna works as a legal councel and she is part of the contract services team at the University of Oulu. Sanna is primarily responsible for the legal assignments of the Innovation Centre.  

x Sanna's work includes all cases of contract services involving business cooperation or business associations. “For example, drafting contracts for Business Finland projects is part of my tasks”, says Sanna. 

Sanna’s background: 

x Sanna was interested in contract law already in her law studies at the University of Lapland. Since her graduation, Sanna has done, for example, a court internship and business law at law firms. She has also worked as a procurement lawyer.  

x Contract matters, according to Sanna, are the field where she wants to work. Thus, she ended up in early 2022 working for the university. According to Sanna, the university offers her a new environment to do interesting work tasks while learning even more about contracts, contract rights and intellectual property issues. 

Highlights of Sanna’s work and opportunities for new learning: 

x Sanna tells that the best thing about her work is to find a solution to the legal problem so that the contract is good for both parties included. 

x For example, project financing patterns are new and interesting things to learn for Sanna. Dozens of new abbreviations learned at work, such as UIC, BF, ERDF are also constantly increasing her competence. 

Sanna's favorite innovation:  

x Sanna's summery response praised the addition of liquorice to popsicles. Now her favorites have been Pirkka brand’s Leppis and Hämppis Popsicles. 

Sannan summer 2022:  

x Summer was filled with swimming, relaxation and enjoying! 

Pekka Räsänen – Innovation Manager

pekka.rasanen@oulu.fi

Pekka’s role at the Innovation Centre:

x Pekka works as the Innovation Manager at the Innovation Centre and the various IPR issues around the results of different research are central to his work.

x Pekka collaborates with researchers looking for new ideas and possible innovations. He supports researchers in particular with matters related to research results and their further development, up to funding and protection. Pekka also draws up agreements with university lawyers related to research results. 

Pekka’s background: 

x Pekka's background is in the process technology and in 2000 he started working at the Keksintösäätiö (Foundation for Finnish Inventions) focusing on the initial financing of innovation projects. Research cooperation has been central to Pekka's work since then. “It enables ideas to be generated and developed further”, says Pekka. 

x In 2013, Pekka entered the university to do similar work in innovation activities. Working with truly new ideas has kept work tasks meaningful also when Pekka moved to build the Innovation Centre at the University of Oulu in 2019. 

Highlights of Pekka’s work and opportunities for new learning: 

x The best thing in Pekka's work is to “juggle many balls at the same time”. Work remains meaningful and concentration sharp. Fundings received by teams, founded companies and moments when companies buy expertise from research teams are highlights of his own work. 

x In innovation activities, regulations are set by many parties, such as financiers and legislation. There are a lot of regulation-based things and not everything goes easy to the finish line. Pekka is also motivated at work by being able to find solutions even in challenging frameworks. 

x Pekka tells that his own knowledge has developed a lot in the work, particularly in IPR matters, for example, regarding intangible capital and valuation. Pekka also gets to share his own accumulated expertise forward in the work community. 

On what issues can you contact Pekka?  

x “Who have done the research? How can research results be protected or published? Do you want to transfer research outside the university? You can contact me with all aspects of research results,” says Pekka, after sharing the questions he often encounters in his work. 

Pekka's favorite innovation: 

x Also Pekka's favorite innovations are related to everyday life. In summer, the muurikka-pan is a very convenient tool at the cottage and the drying cabinet for dishes makes life easier all year round. It is an innovation developed in Finland.

Pekka’s summer 2022: 

x In the summer, Pekka’s 11 months old grandchild learned how to walk. They went looking for chanterelles and blueberries. They ate strawberries straight from a nearby field. Summer was also a time when Grandma and Grandpa Räsänen practiced being alone at the cottage.