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Creativity is not a personality trait. Collaboration is not something that just happens. And staying oriented toward the people your work is meant to serve — whether a research funder, an industry partner, or the end user of a technology — is not a distraction from ambitious work. It is what makes ambitious work matter. 

In this Doc+ panel, Susanna Rahkamo and Jaan Praks — two guests with accomplished and distinct careers — share what they have learned about fostering creativity in organizations, forging the partnerships that make ambitious projects possible, and understanding what customers and collaborators actually need — often before those needs are fully articulated. The question running through the conversation is both practical and strategic: what separates the work that changes things from the work that merely contributes to them?

We will explore three interconnected themes:

1. Creativity in practice — how creative capacity is built, sustained, and led across research, entrepreneurship, and organizational life
2. Collaboration that produces results — how the most ambitious projects get built through deliberate partnerships, trust, and shared ownership rather than individual effort
3. Customer orientation as a career asset — how understanding your audience — whether a research funder, an industry partner, or an end user — sharpens focus and drives impact

Timetable

15:00  Pre-panel snacks

15:15  Welcome and opening of the panel with interactive Q&A

16:15  Outlook towards coming doctoral community activities 

16:30  Snacks and social networking

Panelists

Dr. Susanna Rahkamo

Not many European Champions and World Championship medallists in ice-dancing end up doing a doctorate on what exceptional performance is actually made of — but for Susanna Rahkamo, the two were always the same question asked from different angles. That curiosity has since shaped a career spanning sports governance at the highest levels, two decades of leadership consulting across industries, and the co-founding of Yellow Method, a research-backed venture helping organisations measure and develop their creative capacity. Susanna works directly with leadership teams on how creativity is fostered, how collaboration is structured, and how a sharper understanding of what people and organisations actually need translates into results — making her a rare voice with both scientific grounding and deep client-facing experience.

Associate Professor Jaan Praks

Jaan Praks is one of the pioneers behind Finland's emergence as a leading space nation — the researcher and educator whose work helped transform a student satellite project into a commercial space industry, giving rise to companies including ICEYE, now a globally recognised leader in radar satellite technology. Jaan has spent his career building not just technology but an ecosystem: developing the industry partnerships, international collaborations, and deep understanding of real-world demand that turn academic research into breakthroughs with genuine market relevance. Widely recognised for his impact on Finnish science and industry, Jaan is also a sought-after speaker and communicator on what it takes to move ambitious science into society.

What is Doc+?

Doc+ is Aalto University’s new initiative for strengthening the doctoral and postdoctoral community through shared learning, peer connection, and professional growth. It brings together researchers from all disciplines to engaging and enjoyable panel discussions, new courses and co-innovated social events. The initiative has wide support from Aalto faculties, Aallonhuiput Doctoral Researcher Association, Aalto Education Services and Aalto Career Design Lab. 

Further information here.

Welcome!

Sonja Hilavuo, Doctoral Researcher, Teacher

Doc+ Team