Tampere Universities (TAU & TAMK)

Part of our Profiled Universities

Institution: Tampere University (TAU) and Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK) 

Location: Tampere, Finland 

Focus Area: Development of new technologies for the Circular EconomyCircular EconomyA systems solution framework that tackles global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution. It is based on three principles, driven by design: eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature. implementation; Living labs; Circular Economy business models, strategies, and ecosystems; Circular Economy in cities; sustainable urban development 

Expertise: High-level, international and multidisciplinary research (varying from bio, material, environmental, civil and mechanical engineering to business and politics research) focusing on sustainable, urban and industrial circular economy

Research

Examples of research activities at Tampere University:

• Circular Economy Catalysts (CICAT2025) - research project (2019-2023) aims to facilitate the transition from a linear to a circular economy.

• University Platform for Circular Economy UPCE - This interdisciplinary project promotes the implementation of circular economy solutions.

• Bio and Circular Economy research group consisting of five research groups focusing on environmental technology, bioenergy and biorefining, and industrial biotechnology with the goal to promote a cleaner and safer future for people and the environment as well as urban circular economy.

• Black Carbon Footprint - research project increases the understanding of the emissions and effects of black carbon and their mitigation, to develop new technologies and to understand the dynamics of businesses as well as national and international policies that are linked with atmospheric black carbon.

• Circular Construction in Regenerative Cities (CIRCuIT) - This research project (2019-2023) aims to showcase how circular construction approaches can be scaled and replicated across Europe to enable cities to build more sustainably.

• Towards Eco-Welfare State (ORSI) ) - investigating fair and robust methods to make Finland environmentally sustainable.

• The EL-TRAN consortium works to rethink how to make the totality of the electric energy system more climate neutral.

Examples of research activities at TAMK:

• TAMK Circular and Bioeconomy Actions - a multidisciplinary research group that aims to strengthen TAMK’s impact as a promoter in future sustainable solutions and business.

• BeLight - research project focuses on developing bio-based, recyclable materials for packaging and the construction industry.

• PackAlliance - a consortium that promotes collaboration between education and industry in the development of sustainable packaging materials, innovations and competence development.

• FUSILLI (Fostering the Urban food System transformation through Innovative Living Labs Implementation) (2021-2025) - a Horizon2020 project that aims to create a sustainable urban, city-level food system transformation.

• Industrial Symbioses of Tampere Region (PITS) (2020 – 2023) - project aims to identify together with municipalities of Tampere region those companies and other actors, which have exploitable waste and side streams to be used as a resource for new products and services.

Teaching examples of degree programmes and modules at Tampere University:

• Master’s Degree Programme in  Environmental Engineering (120 ECTS)

• Doctoral Programme in Engineering and Natural Sciences (40 ETCS + doctoral dissertation)

• Master’s Degree Programme in Sustainable Digital Life (120 ECTS)

• Sustainable Architecture Master’s Degree Programme (120 ECTS)

• Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Administrative Sciences, Technology and Social Sciences (180 ECTS)

• Circular economy study module and minor (20 - 55 ECTS)

• Turning Circular Economy Technologies into Business: Commercialization and Business Model Development, Lectures (5 ECTS) -course, Open University Education

Teaching examples of degree programmes at Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK):

• The Master's degree programme Risk Management and Circular Economy - - Master of Natural Resources, Master of Business Administration and Master of Engineering options (60 ECTS)

• Degree Programme in Environmental Engineering (240 ECTS)

• Degree Programme in Bioproduct Engineering (240 ECTS)

• Degree Programme of Social Services (210 ECTS) (new curriculum including sustainability)

Influence & leadership

International collaboration: Both Tampere University and TAMK collaborate actively with diverse international universities. Tampere University is a member of the ECIU University, which is the largest European University alliance with 12 members in 12 different European countries. TAMK is part of the ENoLL network (European Network on Living Labs). Furthermore, TAMK is actively working with its strategic university partner, The Hague University of Applied Science and Francisco de Vitoria University to promote education and research in CSR, sustainability and circular economy. TAMK has also a tight connection with North Carolina State University in bio- and circular economy.

Local collaboration: In the Tampere region, Hiedanranta and Kolmenkulma, living labs enable researchers, students, citizens, public authorities, firms and other stakeholders to act together and develop circular economy-related solutions.

Memberships in the following networks:

• The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

• Climate Leadership Coalition (CLC)

• Nordic Sustainable Campus Network (NSCS)

• Climate partner in Sustainable Tampere 2030 network

Student-led initiatives

• Campus Nature demo (2019-2020) was a joint project of B2N Research Group, the University Properties of Finland Ltd and Tampere University, in which novel green areas around the city center campus were created together with students in order to enhance biodiversity and recreational opportunities.

• Leadership Symposium: The symposium is organized every year by the Faculty of Management and Business and Johto (the Student Association). In 2020, the theme of the symposium was ‘Sustainable development - from words to deeds.’ Find out more.

• Sustainability Open Space: This open forum aims to provide an understanding of the key concepts of sustainable value creation by sharing implementations, knowledge and lessons learned between the industry, researchers and university lecturers and students.

Connect with:

• Professor Leena Aarikka-Stenroos, Tampere University, Faculty of Management and Business

• Impact Area Leader Eeva-Liisa Viskari, Tampere University of Applied Sciences

• Research Specialist Hanna Salminen, Tampere University, Research Services