Researchers' Night 2026, Joensuu

A virtual time travel trip to ancient Rome

What if you could travel back in time over 2,000 years? With the guidance of the students of the Tulliportti Teacher Training School, you can explore ancient Rome with VR glasses. In virtual reality, you can wander the streets of the city, explore historical buildings and experience the life of the Romans as if you were there. 

Experience how history comes alive with technology and step into one of the world’s most influential cultures! 

Artificial intelligence in video games and robotics 

In the workshop of the Computer Science degree programme, you will see how artificial intelligence works in robotics through computer games and learn about the teaching of artificial intelligence. You can also try playing against a pre-trained AI model. 

Build your own invention controller 

Make your own inventions and try turning everyday objects into computer keys with MakeyMakey!  

Make keys from objects: Try using, for example, fruit or play-doh as computer controllers. 
Connect through touch: See how the touch of your finger works as the bridge that connects the object to the computer and makes it respond. 

The workshop is suited to everyone – no previous experience is required. Welcome to experiment and discover! 

Citizen science – you too can contribute to science!

Are you interested in citizen science, or are you already an experienced contributor? There are many ways to contribute to science, for example, by recording dialects or collecting samples from nature. Come and visit the UEF Library’s activity point to find out what citizen science can mean in practice. You will also have the opportunity to meet scientists from the ECHO project who are involved in soil research, as well as library staff. If you wish, you can take home a soil sample collection kit and become part of the community of citizen scientists!

Cola drinks, colour reactions and laser technologies

The Department of Chemistry and Sustainable Technology will organise two separate activity points. In the chemistry laboratory, you can explore, for example, distilling a cola drink, fascinating colour reactions and the freezing properties of liquid nitrogen. In the sustainable technology workshop, you will be introduced to technical equipment, and you can build a plywood mobile phone stand personalised with your own name, using CO₂ and fibre laser technologies.

Crafts and well-being

In this non-stop workshop for the entire family, offered by Craft Science, you will learn how fibre is turned into yarn by spinning. In between the spinning, we can discuss crafts and the effects of crafting on well-being. Try your hand at spinning and get hooked!

Design your happy forest: digital, tactile or storytelling?

What makes a forest truly happy for children? In this hands-on, creative workshop, young creators can explore their happy forest environment through technology, art, or story. Children can design their happy forest using an interactive tablet app or bring their ideas to life by creating a collage with real leaves, twigs, bark, and moss (natural materials). Along the way, they can also record mini audio stories sharing the secrets of their happy forest. Every forest built, crafted, or recorded directly contributes to doctoral research on forest happiness.

Target Audience: Children (under 15 yrs)

Fairytale characters from around the world: workshop on translated literature   

What’s your favourite fairytale character? Do you know where in the world they originally came from, and in what language their story was first told? 

The workshop explores the world of stories that were first told in another language and later translated into Finnish. You can also learn about books translated into other languages. The workshop offers fun activities for both children and adults. 

Food relationship workshop on kindergarten and school meals

What is or was important to you during mealtimes at kindergarten or school? In this workshop, children and adults can build their own small food stories and share them with others. At the same time, you will learn about food relationship work as a method.

Robots and escape games – join us!

Welcome to meet charming robots and to challenge yourself with exciting escape game puzzles – do you dare to take up the challenge?

At the Karelia University of Applied Sciences’ activity point, you can get to know the fascinating world of robotics and experience the joy of discovery with engaging puzzles.

Smart energy communities and AKKUe: hydrogen and sun as the building bricks of energy production! 

Come and see how we can turn sunlight into water, hydrogen and back into electricity! The hydrogen economy and energy storage are one possible solution for a clean energy system of the future.  

The workshop will introduce future solutions through practical experiments. You will get to test how a solar panel produces electricity, how water can be converted into hydrogen by electrolysis, and how a hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity without combustion. 
The digital twin of energy communities will also be on display, in addition to which we will demonstrate the predictability of electricity prices. 

The workshop is suited to curious minds of all ages. Come to try, wonder and discuss the energy solutions that can be used in homes, transport and cities of the future! 

Survivors of peatlands 

Short of oxygen, feet always wet? Peatlands are a challenging environment to grow, thus hosting many specialist species and also familiar tree species that never grow to their full potential size. The superheroes of peatlands are Sphagnum mosses, which form the core of peatland environments. In Finland, over 40 Sphagnum species are specialized in different mire types, and therefore the colour and shape of these mosses tell us a lot about the peatland under our feet. Come to marvel at the spongious Sphagnum mosses, and the smallest of growth rings in peatland trees. Guess the leaf area of peatland plants and connect the Sphagnum moss species to their habitats. You will be greeted by peatland and forest researchers eager to answer your nature questions! 

The workshop is organised by the Centre of Excellence in Peatlands, Climate Change and Ecological Restoration. 

The Karelian language is alive! 

Karelian is an endangered language closely related to Finnish, which is taught, studied and revived at the University of Eastern Finland. Even though Karelian is its own language, it can sound familiar to a Finnish speaker, and there are many common and similar words in Finnish and Karelian.  

Learn about the Karelian language and its vocabulary, and the similarities and differences between these two languages! You can also learn about the lexicographical work of the Karelian language and the topical new words coined in it: can you guess what they mean in Finnish? In addition, Karelian teachers and language experts are happy to answer questions concerning the Karelian language and its revival – either in Finnish or Karelian. 

Visualizing buildings: from conception to reality with AI 

Visualizing a building often requires a lot of modelling, time and versioning. Building Information Modelling or BIM is used in the design phase of buildings. In our demo, you will see how a screenshot of a BIM model can be quickly turned into realistic visualization versions with different materials, lights, environments and moods by using AI. 

The technical design view is instantly transformed into an image that is easier for the future users of the building to understand. 

The story of the building may start to emerge quicker, even before the first wall is up. 

The workshop is organized by Karelia’s local research and learning environment for closed AI.

Your door to Europe

The YUFE Alliance is our university’s direct link to Europe. Find out or guess which languages are spoken where, learn about equality issues and discover the opportunities available to you to get involved. You can also play the YUFE lottery and say hello to our colleagues across Europe. 

SenseLab sensory lab celebrates the senses and marketing 

Can sounds change the taste of coffee? Come to the sensory café and experience for yourself how what we see, hear and smell can affect the taste experience. 

You can also test how digital marketing affects you – maybe in a different way than you think! 
The multi-sensory research laboratory UEF SenseLab opens its doors to all curious minds, regardless of age, on Researchers’ Night. 

This laboratory visit is organised by the Marketing and Consumer Behaviour Research Group.

Please note: Due to limited space, advance registration is required for the visit. Further information will be provided later.

Sm4rt LOC Escape Room Lab – do you dare to take up the challenge? 

Sm4rt LOC is an escape game laboratory designed for learning and research, where you can dive into the world of puzzles and clues together with others. During Researchers’ Night, the doors of the laboratory are open to all adventurous minds. The escape game experience challenges thinking and encourages the participants to solve problems together. The game emphasises insight, logical reasoning, and interaction and cooperation skills. 

Come to find out what it’s like to work and figure things out together while playing! 

The wonderful world of narrative play workshop (in Finnish)

Are you ready to enter a world of adventure where imagination comes to life and anything can happen? Your help is needed to solve mysteries, meet exciting characters and build new stories together with others!

In this hands-on workshop, you will get to know the method of narrative play by experiencing and doing. We will dive into the world of stories, consider which fairytale characters ignite the spark of adventure, and explore how a story can lead play into new and unexpected directions.

But be careful! We may find ourselves in the middle of a story where every participant has an important role. Come and be inspired, let go and experience the magic of narrative play first-hand!

The workshop is organised by the early childhood teacher education and is suited to anyone interested in the power of play, imagination and storytelling. The workshop lasts for about 45 minutes, and you can't join after it has started. There is room for 10 adults with their children (about 4 years of age and older). Please note: Advance registration is required for the workshop. Further information will be provided later.

The world of art 

In teacher training, future class teachers and early childhood education teachers study, among others, visual arts. Research into visual arts and art education provides new perspectives and means to this. In this workshop, you will find out what art education for teacher students includes by trying it out for yourself – it is much more than just traditional drawing or painting. You can pick any of the available exercises, whether it is examining an image or processing various sensory perceptions by visual means.

Welcome to follow and participate in science sessions!

The evening begins with a meeting with Openaali, who has become a social media sensation. Next, we will dive into different corners of science through presentations that range from the motivation of learners to research into the Saimaa ringed seal, the power of attorney and the right to self-determination of the elderly.

The discussion will be led by Lecturer Hanna Vienonen from the Karelia University of Applied Sciences.

Location: Aura Restaurant, Aurora Building

16:30 Petter "Openaali" Punnonen, Meet and Greet

Petter Punnonen, a special education teacher and alumnus of the University of Eastern Finland, amuses social media users with his humorous videos that accurately describe school life. Do you know Pikku-Pete, the teenager or the teenager’s mother? These characters are sure to make not only the younger generation but also adults, who remember their own school days, laugh! Come to listen to and chat with Openaali either in the science session or at the Meet and Greet point next to it!

17:00 Joy of learning or pressure to succeed? – Research data and practical tips for supporting wellbeing

Is the pursuit of grades more important in today’s schools than learning? Are young people’s studies characterised by high expectations and pressure? Is the pursuit of academic success causing exhaustion? This information session provides a brief overview of research findings on the links between the motivation, perfectionism and well-being of learners of different ages. Practical measures to best support the learning and well-being of children and young people are also addressed.

Speakers: Professor Heta Tuominen, University Lecturer Fiia Söderholm, University Lecturer Riikka Hirvonen and Doctoral Researcher Elina Sinkonen

School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty, Motivation, Learning and Well-being Research Group

17:30 Saimaannorppa – Saimaan ainutlaatuinen asukas

The Saimaa ringed seal is the Finland’s only endemic mammal and one of the world’s rarest seals. Systematic persecution and other human activities drove it to near extinction in the 20th century. Although the species is recovering, it is still vulnerable to environmental changes and to reduced genetic diversity. The research on the Saimaa ringed seal combines ecology, genetics, and the study of behaviour and health. The information session will offer a peek into the study of the Saimaa ringed seal’s genome and what it tells us about the current state and future of the species, and how research helps to ensure the survival of the Saimaa ringed seal in Lake Saimaa.

Speaker: Professor of Molecular Biology and Genetics Jaakko Pohjoismäki
Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology

18:00 Self-determination of the elderly – when to respect and when to limit?     

The right to self-determination is a human and fundamental right that belongs to each and every one of us. However, sometimes an elderly person is unable to make decisions, for example, due to a memory disorder. What steps should be taken in such a situation? Can the self-determination of a person with a memory disorder be restricted? This information session provides an overview of the legislation on respecting and restricting the right to self-determination and other central fundamental rights, and its application in real-life situations. 

Speaker: Postdoctoral Researcher Henna Nikumaa
Law School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

18.30 Advance directive and power of attorney – how to prepare for possible incapacity?

If a person becomes seriously ill or is seriously injured and is no longer able to manage their affairs, they will need a substitute decision-maker. It is a common misconception that a close relative can automatically take care of all the affairs of an incapacitated person on their behalf. However, this is not the case. What is the best way to prepare for such a situation from a legal point of view? The information session briefly presents the typical means of legal anticipation, the advance directive and the power of attorney, and provides practical tips for their preparation.

Speaker: Postdoctoral Researcher Henna Nikumaa
Law School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies

Petter "Openaali" Punnonen

Petter Punnonen, a special education teacher and alumnus of the University of Eastern Finland, amuses social media users with his humorous videos that accurately describe school life. Do you know Pikku-Pete, the teenager or the teenager’s mother? These characters are sure to make not only the younger generation but also adults, who remember their own school days, laugh!

Come to listen to and chat with Openaali either in the science session in Restaurant Aura at 16:30 or after the science session at the Meet and Greet point next to it!

Ghosts and fires – a walking tour introducing the diverse urban history of Joensuu 

Are you familiar with the phases of the City Hall? Have you heard of its ghost? Are you familiar with the history of Vapaudenpuisto Park or did you know that a pedestrian street was first proposed in Joensuu in the 1970s? Do you know where the legendary Seurahuone, destroyed by fire, was located in the 1950s?  

These and many other questions of urban history will be answered by the history walk of Pohjois-Karjalan historiallinen yhdistys (North Karelia Historical Association), which lasts for about an hour. The tour is led by PhD Jani Karhu, the chair of the association and a university lecturer specialised in urban, tourism and environmental history. 

The tour stars from in front of the Joensuu City Theatre at 18:00.