Research group of Maija Setälä receives the University of Turku Impact Initiative of the Year Award

The work of the research group of Maija Setälä, which aims at improving the dialogue between citizens and decision-makers, has been awarded the University’s Impact Initiative of theYear 2025.

The University of Turku awards the Impact Initiative of the Year annually. The recognition is awarded for successful work that promotes the societal impact of research and education. The 2025 award was given to the research group of Maija Setälä.

The award was given to the research group by the rector of the University of Turku at the University’s stakeholder ceremony on the 10th of November 2025. In her statement, the rector highlighted the Citizens’ Assembly on Energy as an example of the ambitious and pioneering work being done in the democracy research of the University of Turku to present citizens’ views and communicate them to decision-makers.

In February 2025, the research group organised a citizens’ assembly on energy, where 54 randomly selected citizens met for six days to learn about energy systems and policies, and to discuss and make joint recommendations to the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment on current policy processes.

According to Rector Marjo Kaartinen the work being done by the research group encourages citizens to seek knowledge, engage in open dialogue and critical thinking, and articulate and understand different perspectives, which is in line with the University’s goals and values. The work also increase citizens’ understanding of societal decision-making.

Read more about the Impact Initiative Award in the University of Turku News (utu.fi).