A January of Firsts

The CoE started its official existence in the beginning of this calendar year. In traditional metaphysician’s jargon, this institutional coming-into-being constituted a ‘substantial change’. As a consequence, various types of activities started running as well, making this month a January of firsts.

On Thursday the 16^th, we had our opening gathering, where information was provided, and to some extent, the first year also sketched. Tuula Sunnarborg, the Financial Planner of the Faculty of Theology started by initiating us into administrative practices and relevant IT systems. The CoE Director Risto Saarinen then continued by discussing practical issues and upcoming dates of importance. After the event, our Coordinator Lauri Uusi-Hakala e-mailed a memo of the meeting together with the slides of Tuula’s presentation to all the participants.

The 23^rd of January brought the beginning of our weekly informal Thursday afternoon coffee breaks. Ritva Palmén, who works as a Research Doctor in Team 2 (Medieval and Early Modern Thought) will be running this cosy event which takes place in the comfortable surroundings of the department library.

On Tuesday the 28^th, all the teams met among themselves at the same time in the afternoon. Our Team 3 (Contemporary Philosophy of Religion) had invited Professor Arto Laitinen from the University of Tampere to give a presentation on theories of recognition. This was a very good, informative and fruitful occasion, which resulted in further discussion and an inspiring exchange of ideas. After the meeting at the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, whose Director our team leader Sami Pihlström also is, there was a more informal gathering where all CoE members from different teams could take part. This is a format of team meetings and common gatherings that is intended to be repeated several times during the first year.

On the 30^th of January, the Faculty of Theology then organized a research evening at the University of Helsinki Banquet Rooms on Unioninkatu. In the programme, there were talks on EU funding and research communication, a guest lecture, presentations of research projects, and introductions of new employees of the Faculty. After these, the participants proceeded to have dinner and to enjoy an evening of congenial conversation.

Ilkka Pyysiäinen and Arto Laitinen, the guest of Team 3