Stenius provided his team with cutting-edge surface analysis equipment. That was inspiring. Tammelin completed her engineering degree and soon landed the post of a research engineer at the school. “I completed my master’s in engineering alongside work, and I also did my doctoral dissertation in the same team. It wasn’t stressful at all – it was great fun! We were doing pioneering work in Per’s team on lignocellulose surface research, in fierce competition with the Swedes.” Now, as a professor, Tammelin is still on the same path. These days, she leads her own team of researchers. Has she experienced any prejudices as a woman? “I haven’t thought about any glass ceilings, even though I work in a largely male environment. But this too has changed, and our team now includes an equal number
Even as a child, Tammelin was encouraged to study natural sciences. Her father was a biologist and teacher, and her mother was a kindergarten teacher. The young Tammelin was interested in reading, biology, geography and chemistry. She enjoyed school. “The approach was to do things together, read and be knowledgeable about things. As a teenager, I naturally dis- agreed with my parents about everything, but they always knew how to steer me, even if I wasn’t steerable. Reading and schooling were a given in our house, but pressure wasn’t in the picture.” Her interest in natural sciences remains very much intact. Even now, Tammelin talks about her work with such energy and enthusiasm that it’s easy to see she’s in the right job.
“I’m probably slightly competitive, and I do have ambitions, but I haven’t resorted to elbowing or blood, sweat and tears to advance my career.”
of women and men. When I’ve done my work well, I’ve been encouraged and have moved forwards in my career.” She has noticed that for many women, a scientific career stops at a professorship. “You have to be pretty self-assured about promoting your own research agenda. On the other hand, I know that not everyone has been as lucky as I have. Some of my colleagues have had really bad experiences. While my own efforts have taken me a long way, success always requires both luck and a good team.” ENTHUSIASTIC PROFESSIONAL According to a recent study, the number of girls who pur- sue a career in natural sciences is still pretty low. Tammelin suggests cooperation between schools and research insti- tutions as a solution to this problem. “We should go to schools and day-care centres to offer in- formation. It’s important for children and young people to know about the options available to them. Mathematics is a lot more than just number crunching. For example, the city of London has made a commitment to science education, and my colleagues there hold a lot more public events.”
“I’m probably slightly competitive, and I do have ambi- tions, but I haven’t resorted to elbowing or blood, sweat and tears to advance my career. It’s nice that our research is successful and progressing well.” Tammelin takes a bite out of her sandwich in the cafe- teria and occasionally glances at the research articles she is carrying with her to check up on facts. Her phone rings insistently, and the conversation at the table next to ours fills the air, but she seems not to be distracted. An ability to concentrate and flexibility are essential skills in a field where you also have to be receptive to crit- icism. The peer reviewers or research funders sometimes express amazement about the claims made in a study. Research funds must be applied for over and over again, and they are not always granted. For now, however, Pro- fessor Tammelin has secured long-term funding for the FinnCERES project. “When you get tough feedback, you have to take a deep breath. On the other hand, it tends to be motivating and useful. And where else would you get feedback from if not from peer reviewers?” •
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