The seminar brings together researchers and experts from the University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences, as well as professionals from the wellbeing sector who are interested in robotics and wellbeing from the perspective of the Arctic region’s specific needs. Students and other interested participants are also warmly welcome!

The keynote speaker of the seminar is PhD researcher Linda Sørensen from the University of Agder, Norway. Her research focuses on humanoid robots in future healthcare services and their management. She has also worked as Director of Technology Development at Sunnaas Hospital. In addition, the seminar will feature expert talks on robotics in wellbeing services and presentations of research related to robotics. The event is open and free of charge for everyone, conducted in a hybrid format up to the panel discussion, and the language of the event is English.


Please register for the event (for the afternoon coffee/tea service by 21 October 2025) https://link.webropolsurveys.com/S/0B48F0E9A1D59213 .


Kindly note that changes to the program may occur.


For additional information, please contact Satu Pekkala (satu.pekkala@ulapland.fi) or Marjo Suhonen (marjo.suhonen@ulapland.fi).

Program


8:30–9:00 Welcome and Registration


9:00–9:15 Opening Remarks and Greetings Arctic RoboWelfare Project, University of Lapland and Lapland University of Applied Sciences


9:15–10:00 Keynote Linda Sørensen, Project Manager, Centre for Research and Innovation; Rehabilitation Technology, PhD Research Fellow, University of Agder: Experiences of research project related to social/humanoid robots at the levels of end-users, staff and leadership


10:00–11:00 Presentations Docent, Research Director Jaana Leinonen, Wellbeing Services County of Lapland Development Manager Soile Niskala, Lapin Kuntoutus Ltd. ICT Project Manager Nina Viiri, Wellbeing Services County of Lapland


11:00–12:00 Lunch (self-funded)


12:00–12:45 Robot Demonstrations


12:45–13:30 Panel Discussion (in Finnish): ’Robotiikan hyödyntämismahdollisuudet Lapin alueen hyvinvointipalveluissa’ Maiju Saijets, MediaRoboLit Hanna Vuojärvi, GeroDigiLead Tommi Kokko, AI.R – Arctic AI & Robotics Piia Hyvämäki, GeroDigi Sari Arolaakso, Ennakoi Elina Kerätär, Arctic RoboWelfare

13:30 onwards Closing Remarks, Coffee, and Networking

The seminar can be followed remotely via the following link:

https://blogi.eoppimispalvelut.fi/ulapland/