Project Portfolio
4. Green Transitions
About Green Transitions
I'm interested in transforming scientific research on sustainability into practical, learning-centred applications that support the development of green skills, carbon-smart systems thinking, and futures literacy in education. I find it important to work across different disciplines to make sense of the science for practitioners and knowledge beneficiaries in an educational context.
I've also investigated research cooperation processes that connect different disciplines, such as environmental science, social sciences, and economics. This collaboration isn't easy, but when it's successful, it helps researchers transform their practices for joint, novel efforts that may better address complex societal challenges.
I focus on turning innovative research findings into educational tools and resources that can be used in university courses. By incorporating sustainability into teaching and learning, I wish to help higher education teachers re-thinking curricula, competence goals, and teaching methodology that will benefit their students to lead sustainable initiatives in their future careers.
I'm interested in transforming scientific research on sustainability into practical, learning-centred applications that support the development of green skills, carbon-smart systems thinking, and futures literacy in education. I find it important to work across different disciplines to make sense of the science for practitioners and knowledge beneficiaries in an educational context.
I've also investigated research cooperation processes that connect different disciplines, such as environmental science, social sciences, and economics. This collaboration isn't easy, but when it's successful, it helps researchers transform their practices for joint, novel efforts that may better address complex societal challenges.
I focus on turning innovative research findings into educational tools and resources that can be used in university courses. By incorporating sustainability into teaching and learning, I wish to help higher education teachers re-thinking curricula, competence goals, and teaching methodology that will benefit their students to lead sustainable initiatives in their future careers.
Scalable City Transdisciplinary Research Team
Period: 2025-ongoing
Organisations: HAMK and a broad ecosystem of public and private partners, including municipalities and regional authorities, public organisations and service providers, private-sector actors such as developers, constructors and technology companies, as well as NGOs, community organisations, educational institutions, and innovation hubs.
Funders: National research councils and innovation agencies, European Union research, innovation, and urban development programmes, regional development funds, cities and municipalities.
Summary of activities: Scalable City is a newly established transdisciplinary research group exploring how future cities can be designed, understood, and continuously reshaped through the integration of life sciences, data science, and educational research. The group works at the intersection of societal dynamics, human behaviour, environmental sustainability, and digital technologies, aligning its approach with the values and principles of the European New Bauhaus.
Scalable City focuses on cities as living systems: places shaped by everyday movement, encounters, learning processes, and adaptive infrastructures. By combining data-driven methods (such as urban sensing, spatial analytics, and modelling) with human-centred research and pedagogical practices, the group develops scalable frameworks for understanding urban vitality, inclusivity, and resilience.
Role: Co-Founder, Researcher
Organisations: HAMK and a broad ecosystem of public and private partners, including municipalities and regional authorities, public organisations and service providers, private-sector actors such as developers, constructors and technology companies, as well as NGOs, community organisations, educational institutions, and innovation hubs.
Funders: National research councils and innovation agencies, European Union research, innovation, and urban development programmes, regional development funds, cities and municipalities.
Summary of activities: Scalable City is a newly established transdisciplinary research group exploring how future cities can be designed, understood, and continuously reshaped through the integration of life sciences, data science, and educational research. The group works at the intersection of societal dynamics, human behaviour, environmental sustainability, and digital technologies, aligning its approach with the values and principles of the European New Bauhaus.
Scalable City focuses on cities as living systems: places shaped by everyday movement, encounters, learning processes, and adaptive infrastructures. By combining data-driven methods (such as urban sensing, spatial analytics, and modelling) with human-centred research and pedagogical practices, the group develops scalable frameworks for understanding urban vitality, inclusivity, and resilience.
Role: Co-Founder, Researcher
Visualisation: Outi Tahvonen, HAMK (C)
CO-CARBON -
Individuals, communities, and municipalities mitigating climate change by carbon smart green space
Period: 1.) 2020-2023 and 2.) 2024-2026
Organisations: University of Helsinki (Coordinator), Aalto University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK Bio and HAMK Edu), University of Copenhagen.
Funder: Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland
Summary of activities: CO-CARBON is a multidisciplinary research project aiming to quantify the carbon storage of green spaces at different urban scales using novel measurements and process-based models. A wide range of socio-ecological factors will be considered while evaluating the planning and management needs of carbon-smart green spaces. New solutions and knowledge for planning, implementation and maintenance of carbon smart urban green infrastructure are developed. This will be done in collaboration with project partners, citizens, businesses and city planners. The project aims to make carbon smart green spaces well-recognized as part of urban transition at different societal levels.
Role: HAMK Research Team Member. HAMK Edu contributes to the project by researching and facilitating knowledge building and learning on the boundaries of multidisciplinary teams of researchers, green industries and HEI teachers.
Another research interest of HAMK Edu is to investigate how the new scientific knowledge is communicated and adapted in higher education and professional practice of future green professionals.
Ryymin, E., & Tahvonen, O. (2025). Navigating the Relational Dynamics of Carbon-Smart Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) Projects. Urban Science, 9(7), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9070242
Ryymin, E. & Tahvonen, O. (2023). Hiiliviisaat kaupungit hengittävät vihreillä keuhkoillaan
hyvinvointia kaikille. HAMK Beat, 1.2. 2023.
Tahvonen, O., Rintala, H. & Ryymin, E. (2021, November 3-4). Promoting carbon-smart practices in domestic urban gardens - Multidisciplinary collaboration in socio-ecological systems. Paper presented at RUN-EU European University Innovation Hub Virtual Conference.
An abstract available at: run-eu.eu/files/2021/12/2021_RUN-EU_European_Innovation_Hubs-Virtual-Conference-Booklet.pdf (p. 39).
CO-CARBON WEBSITE (2020-2023 / 2024-2026)
Co-Carbon -projekti (suomeksi)
Merkittävä rahoitus Suomen Akatemialta kaupunkivihreän hiilensidontatutkimukseen (Tiedote 13.11. 2020)
Organisations: University of Helsinki (Coordinator), Aalto University, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Häme University of Applied Sciences (HAMK Bio and HAMK Edu), University of Copenhagen.
Funder: Strategic Research Council of the Academy of Finland
Summary of activities: CO-CARBON is a multidisciplinary research project aiming to quantify the carbon storage of green spaces at different urban scales using novel measurements and process-based models. A wide range of socio-ecological factors will be considered while evaluating the planning and management needs of carbon-smart green spaces. New solutions and knowledge for planning, implementation and maintenance of carbon smart urban green infrastructure are developed. This will be done in collaboration with project partners, citizens, businesses and city planners. The project aims to make carbon smart green spaces well-recognized as part of urban transition at different societal levels.
Role: HAMK Research Team Member. HAMK Edu contributes to the project by researching and facilitating knowledge building and learning on the boundaries of multidisciplinary teams of researchers, green industries and HEI teachers.
Another research interest of HAMK Edu is to investigate how the new scientific knowledge is communicated and adapted in higher education and professional practice of future green professionals.
Ryymin, E., & Tahvonen, O. (2025). Navigating the Relational Dynamics of Carbon-Smart Urban Green Infrastructure (UGI) Projects. Urban Science, 9(7), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/urbansci9070242
Ryymin, E. & Tahvonen, O. (2023). Hiiliviisaat kaupungit hengittävät vihreillä keuhkoillaan
hyvinvointia kaikille. HAMK Beat, 1.2. 2023.
Tahvonen, O., Rintala, H. & Ryymin, E. (2021, November 3-4). Promoting carbon-smart practices in domestic urban gardens - Multidisciplinary collaboration in socio-ecological systems. Paper presented at RUN-EU European University Innovation Hub Virtual Conference.
An abstract available at: run-eu.eu/files/2021/12/2021_RUN-EU_European_Innovation_Hubs-Virtual-Conference-Booklet.pdf (p. 39).
CO-CARBON WEBSITE (2020-2023 / 2024-2026)
Co-Carbon -projekti (suomeksi)
Merkittävä rahoitus Suomen Akatemialta kaupunkivihreän hiilensidontatutkimukseen (Tiedote 13.11. 2020)
Picture: Hiedanranta keskusaukio (city center) (C)
City of Tampere 2018, Schauman & Nordgren Architects & Mandaworks, Arkkitehtitoimisto NOAN, Jolma Arkkitehdit, TUPA architecture
City of Tampere 2018, Schauman & Nordgren Architects & Mandaworks, Arkkitehtitoimisto NOAN, Jolma Arkkitehdit, TUPA architecture
Innovation Development in Multidisciplinary Teams of Digital Bioeconomy
Period: 2018-2021
Organisations: Häme University of Applied Sciences, Aalto University, University of Helsinki, University of Feevale Brazil, Network of large companies and SMEs of bioeconomy
Funder: Ministry of Education and Culture Finland
Summary of activities: The goal Bioeconomy 4.0 and Carbone 4.0 -projects of HAMK is to utilize possibilities of the fourth industrial revolution (digitalization, IoT, data analytics) in bio-processes and carbon sequestration. The initiative combines the efforts of all four research units HAMK Bio, HAMK Tech, HAMK Smart and HAMK Edu, to serve the same goal: developing digital and sustainable bioeconomy in co-operation with national and international research partners and industries including large companies and SMEs. The specific research interest of education scientists and practitioners is knowledge creation for innovation development in multidisciplinary teams. Our aim is to develop a methodological framework on how to follow complex projects in networks on multiple levels, where innovations are developed and implemented by diverse actors with the use of technology and various digital tools.
Role: HAMK Edu Project Manager
Ryymin, E. & Lamberg, L. (2021). Multilevel Boundary Crossing and Dialogical Learning Mechanisms in Interdisciplinary Research Teams. The Learning Organization, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print. DOI: 10.1108/TLO-09-2020-0172
Ryymin, E., Lamberg, L., & Pakarinen, A. (2020). How to Digitally Enhance Bioeconomy Collaboration: Multidisciplinary Research Team Ideation for Technology Innovation. Technology Innovation Management Review, 10, 11, 31-39. DOI: 10.22215/timreview/1401
Ryymin, E & Lamberg, L. (2020). Tulevaisuus on monitieteinen. HAMK Unlimited Professional 11.9. 2020.
Lamberg, L., Kunttu, I., Pakarinen, A. & Ryymin, E. (2019). Biotalous 4.0 ja Carbon 4.0 – megatrendeistä ammentavaa tutkimusta. HAMK Unlimited Professional 11.12.2019.
See all articles of the project on Publications-page.
Organisations: Häme University of Applied Sciences, Aalto University, University of Helsinki, University of Feevale Brazil, Network of large companies and SMEs of bioeconomy
Funder: Ministry of Education and Culture Finland
Summary of activities: The goal Bioeconomy 4.0 and Carbone 4.0 -projects of HAMK is to utilize possibilities of the fourth industrial revolution (digitalization, IoT, data analytics) in bio-processes and carbon sequestration. The initiative combines the efforts of all four research units HAMK Bio, HAMK Tech, HAMK Smart and HAMK Edu, to serve the same goal: developing digital and sustainable bioeconomy in co-operation with national and international research partners and industries including large companies and SMEs. The specific research interest of education scientists and practitioners is knowledge creation for innovation development in multidisciplinary teams. Our aim is to develop a methodological framework on how to follow complex projects in networks on multiple levels, where innovations are developed and implemented by diverse actors with the use of technology and various digital tools.
Role: HAMK Edu Project Manager
Ryymin, E. & Lamberg, L. (2021). Multilevel Boundary Crossing and Dialogical Learning Mechanisms in Interdisciplinary Research Teams. The Learning Organization, Vol. ahead-of-print, No. ahead-of-print. DOI: 10.1108/TLO-09-2020-0172
Ryymin, E., Lamberg, L., & Pakarinen, A. (2020). How to Digitally Enhance Bioeconomy Collaboration: Multidisciplinary Research Team Ideation for Technology Innovation. Technology Innovation Management Review, 10, 11, 31-39. DOI: 10.22215/timreview/1401
Ryymin, E & Lamberg, L. (2020). Tulevaisuus on monitieteinen. HAMK Unlimited Professional 11.9. 2020.
Lamberg, L., Kunttu, I., Pakarinen, A. & Ryymin, E. (2019). Biotalous 4.0 ja Carbon 4.0 – megatrendeistä ammentavaa tutkimusta. HAMK Unlimited Professional 11.12.2019.
See all articles of the project on Publications-page.
Photo: Adobe Stock (Generated with AI)
New Business Opportunities, Sustainable Growth and Innovative Learning in Bio- and Circular Economy (LUO Next Step)
Period: 2017-2019
Organisations: Häme University of Applied Sciences (coordinator), Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Lammi Biological Station (Helsinki University), Environmental School of Finland (Sykli), Network of Finnish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and large companies in bioeconomy business
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (Euroopan aluekehitysrahasto)
Summary of activities:
The goal of the project is to develop new business opportunities and accelerate new job creation in bio- and circular economy in Häme region of Finland. The goal is also to create networked expertise, education programmes and pedagogical material for university-business -projects in collaboration between higher education institutions, researchers and bioeconomy companies.
Role: Key Expert
Ryymin, E. & Vainio, L. (2019). Kestävää osaamista - Biotalouden opettajat työelämälähtöisen oppimisen rakentajina. HAMKin julkaisuja 4/2019. Hämeen kirjapaino Oy: Tampere. (in Finnish)
Ryymin, E. & Vainio, L. (2018). Successful Collaboration between Higher Education and Working Life requires Pedagogical Competence and Communication Skills from Teachers. Yliopistopedagogiikka 2/2018.
LUO-kehittäjäverkosto vauhdittaa bioalan innovaatioita Hämeessä (in Finnish)
Organisations: Häme University of Applied Sciences (coordinator), Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Lammi Biological Station (Helsinki University), Environmental School of Finland (Sykli), Network of Finnish SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) and large companies in bioeconomy business
Funder: European Regional Development Fund (Euroopan aluekehitysrahasto)
Summary of activities:
The goal of the project is to develop new business opportunities and accelerate new job creation in bio- and circular economy in Häme region of Finland. The goal is also to create networked expertise, education programmes and pedagogical material for university-business -projects in collaboration between higher education institutions, researchers and bioeconomy companies.
Role: Key Expert
Ryymin, E. & Vainio, L. (2019). Kestävää osaamista - Biotalouden opettajat työelämälähtöisen oppimisen rakentajina. HAMKin julkaisuja 4/2019. Hämeen kirjapaino Oy: Tampere. (in Finnish)
Ryymin, E. & Vainio, L. (2018). Successful Collaboration between Higher Education and Working Life requires Pedagogical Competence and Communication Skills from Teachers. Yliopistopedagogiikka 2/2018.
LUO-kehittäjäverkosto vauhdittaa bioalan innovaatioita Hämeessä (in Finnish)
Photo: Ville Salminen, HAMK (C)
Headline photo: Ville Salminen, HAMK (C)