Åbo Akademi University works closely with local and regional organisations for the marine environment and maritime administration and policy. This cooperation includes, among other things, the exchange of information and expertise, as well as science-based environmental advice.
High-level experimental expertise
The Department of Environmental and Marine Biology is known for its expertise in experimental research. Such knowledge is focused on the study of the ecological status of coastal areas through advanced field and aquarium, as well as micro- and mesocosm models, i.e. experimental apparatus that imitate living habitats.
Experimental research is carried out at the Husö Biological Station in the Åland Islands, and at the Archipelago Centre Korpoström in the Archipelago National Park and Archipelago Biosphere Reserve.
The Department of Environmental and Marine Biology has laboratory facilities for sample preparation on the Turku campus, including access to the Turku Biotechnology Centre, which has the necessary equipment and expertise for research.
The Department of Environmental and Marine Biology is involved in extensive international cooperation
At Åbo Akademi University, the Department of Environmental and Marine Biology has a large portfolio of international projects. These include two Horizon 2020 projects, three BONUS projects in the Baltic Sea, research on marine ecosystems and resources in the Nordic Centre, four global marine research networks, Finland’s maritime infrastructure consortium (FINMARI), and the postgraduate research network entitled “Functional Marine Biodiversity”.
The research theme “The Sea” is a multidisciplinary research area
The multidisciplinary theme, “The Sea” is a key strategic research area at Åbo Akademi University. It was born out of the continued development of marine research and the strong position of a strategy for the development of the biological, environmental, as well as the social and political sciences. The Academy of Finland has granted it recognition and financial support since 2017.
The research theme “The Sea” is managed jointly with the University of Turku. It creates a strong centre of excellence and community for multidisciplinary marine research. Its purpose is to provide solutions that enable a modern, sustainable society to coexist with the marine ecosystem.