The Centre of Excellence in Multispecies Justice in Indigenous Societies (MultiBEING) hosts open public lectures at the University of Lapland’s main campus in Rovaniemi on 1st September. The event, held in English, will introduce the Centre’s newly launched research programme, while international guest speakers will offer broader perspectives on the research themes.

The event will be opened by Rector Antti Syväjärvi. This will be followed by presentations from Professor Sanna Valkonen and postdoctoral researchers Áile Aikio and Anne-Maria Magga from the University of Lapland, as well as Professor Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen from the University of Helsinki, introducing the Centre’s research objectives and activities.

The international keynote speakers include Professor Carl Mika (University of Canterbury, New Zealand), whose research focuses on Māori and other Indigenous philosophies and ontologies. He will be followed by Professor Emeritus Tim Ingold (University of Aberdeen, UK), renowned for his work on rethinking the relationships between humans, the environment and the material world.

The second part of the event will feature Professor Alexandra Xanthaki (Brunel Law School, UK), who serves also as the UN Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, and Professor Jérémie Gilbert (University of Southampton, UK), whose research focuses on Indigenous land rights and ecological justice.

The lectures are open to all, and the event can also be followed online.

Event Details

Date and time: Tuesday 1 September 2026, 12.00–16.00

Venue: Eeli Hall (A176) and online

Programme and livestream link on event web page

Further Information

Centre of Excellence for Multibeing Justice in Indigenous Societies (MultiBEING) website