Anna-Mari Simunaniemi is the new Head of Education and Research in the School of Business at VAMK

PhD Anna-Mari Simunaniemi assumed the position of Head of Education and Research in Business and Information Technology at Vaasa University of Applied Sciences on August 1^st, 2024. Previously Simunaniemi worked as Research Director of Micro-Entrepreneurship at the Kerttu Saalasti Institute, University of Oulu. Simunaniemi holds master’s degree in health science from the University of Eastern Finland and she has completed a one-year master’s program at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm. She completed her doctoral dissertation at the Faculty of Social Sciences at Uppsala University.  Simunaniemi has worked extensively in the preparation and implementation of EU-funded projects for 13 years, the last few of which she has spent almost entirely as the leader and immediate supervisor of a research group of about 15 people operating on supplementary funding.

“In addition to leading the research group, I have actively conducted my own research on micro-entrepreneurship, most recently focusing particularly on responsible leadership, and have been involved in developing new online training for professionals,” Simunaniemi elaborates.

VAMK's School of Business gains in Simunaniemi an experienced Head of Education and Research accustomed to working under pressure and finding solutions in changing circumstances.

“I genuinely have a multidisciplinary background, experience in vocational education as well as higher education, and working with a wide range of collaborators across the country and internationally. Multi-location work is something I'm very comfortable with, and I find it important to meet not only my future team but also key partners face-to-face as soon as possible,” she says.

Important to strengthen research and project activities

In her current role as Head of Education and Research, Simunaniemi acts as the immediate supervisor for the staff of the Business and Information Technology programs. She takes on this new role with enthusiasm and sees it as an opportunity to observe higher education and project-funded RDI activities from a UAS perspective.

“Vaasa's excellent coastal location, the active international business activities of its companies, and the focus on the energy sector from a sustainable development perspective are strengths that I believe have significantly broader potential for national and especially international project collaboration,” Simunaniemi reflects.

Regarding the Business program, Simunaniemi aims to enhance the student experience, ensure that studies are relevant to working life, and support teachers in maintaining their specialised expertise through close collaboration with the business community.

“My understanding is that new initiatives are expected especially in project work and research. This can only be achieved through collaboration, both within the team and at the organisational level, but it equally requires committed partnerships with local businesses and other educational institutions nationally,” she notes.

Simunaniemi does not intend to change what is already good but wants to strengthen existing strengths and boldly seize new development opportunities.

“I believe that my team consists of skilled and experienced teachers, some of whom also have research interests. It is important to me that the education provided in higher education is based on researched knowledge and that, if they wish, UAS lecturers and teachers have the opportunity to engage in their own scientific publishing activities to enhance their teaching,” continues Simunaniemi.

Balancing responsibility, freedom, and transparency is emphasised in leading a community of experts

For Simunaniemi, it is important that every member of the work community finds the organisation's goals meaningful and sees their own work as a vital part of the whole.

“I strive to be more of a coach who, together with the employee, identifies each person's motivational factors and career goals. Initially, my priority is to get to know the experts in my team as individuals and to form a shared understanding of what we are aiming to achieve together,” she says.

In leading a community of experts, Simunaniemi emphasises the balance between responsibility and freedom, as well as transparency.

“A shared vision and strategic goals help achieve a common objective, but I want to give professionals the opportunity to choose the details of their working methods and schedules that suit them best,” Simunaniemi clarifies.

The international and maritime city of Vaasa inspires

Living with her family, dog, and two cats in Oulainen, North Ostrobothnia, Simunaniemi has studied and worked across Finland. She gained international experience in Sweden, where she lived for a total of seven years.

Vaasa is familiar to Simunaniemi only through occasional weekend trips, but she plans to establish a secondary residence in Vöyrinkaupunki. Besides her work, Simunaniemi looks forward to exploring Vaasa's beautiful maritime scenery with curiosity.

“I have never lived this close to the sea - and the excellent outdoor opportunities. If anyone has tips on good dog parks, dog training courses, or wants to join me and my Lancashire Heeler, Aatos, for some evening exercise, we are open to all suggestions,” she laughs.