Martiina, tell us about your background
– I graduated with a master’s degree in marketing from the Turku School of Economics in Finland at the end of last year. During my studies, I developed an interest in sustainability themes, which I then explored further in my master’s thesis which focused on sustainable consumption.
What made you interested in applying for the PhD-position?
– Last spring, I applied for a position within a project that studies the emergence and role of human experiences in the circular economy. What made this PhD position particularly unique and exciting is that it is a combined position between the University of Turku in Finland and Karlstad University. I was thrilled to be selected for the position, which now offers me the opportunity to pursue a double degree between these universities. 2025 I will be based in Turku, and in 2026 I will continue my research in Karlstad.
What will be your main research?
– My research explores human experiences in circular economy services and practices, with a focus on how they can be shaped to support the circular transition. Circular economy initiatives often face challenges when individuals do not adopt the new solutions, and their experiences with these solutions can play a significant role in this process. To address these challenges, I will focus on understanding these experiences and exploring how service design can be used to shape them, ultimately aiming to make circular practices easier to adopt. While the specifics of my research are still evolving, my goal is to bring a human-centered perspective to circular economy, which has traditionally been studied mostly from technical and environmental viewpoints.
What are your expectations?
– I’m very excited to have the opportunity to explore my research topic while benefiting from the perspectives and knowledge at both institutions. I’m particularly looking forward to learning from and working with the professionals who specialize in service research. When I visited Karlstad briefly in October, I received such a warm welcome, and I’m really looking forward to working with the wonderful people there. And who knows, maybe I’ll even learn to say more than “tack” and “hej” in Swedish during my years in Karlstad.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself
– I’m Finnish, from a city called Pori (Björneborg). I’ve always been into sports and staying active, and during my previous studies I worked as a sports instructor and an adventure park instructor. I love skiing, and spending time outdoors, especially hiking with my dog, Bamse. During my master’s studies, I found the thesis process incredibly interesting and rewarding, which ultimately inspired me to pursue a PhD. In my career, I hope to make a difference through my work, which I believe I can achieve as a researcher.
