University of Helsinki Presents 2026 Open Science Award to Professor Sampsa Hautaniemi

According to a university press release issued on Monday, the award jury praised Hautaniemi for his sustained commitment, broad engagement and active efforts to advance open science both within his academic community and across the university.

While coordinating major research projects, Hautaniemi has developed a research culture in which responsible sharing of research data, open-source software, transparent analytical methods and open-access publishing are integral parts of the research process.

He has also contributed to the preparation of the university's 2021 Research Data Policy and participated in the steering group responsible for the digital development of research.

The University of Helsinki has presented its Open Science Award annually since 2017 to recognise significant contributions to advancing open science.

Nominations for the 2026 award were collected in September and October from the university's unit leadership and members through its Flamma internal platform.

The award jury consisted of University Librarian Minna Niemi-Grundström, Postdoctoral Researcher Antti Kanner, Head of Development Aura Kivilaakso and Project Planning Officer Tanja Lindholm.