Finlands young geotechnical community continues to strengthen its presence through a combination of student-led initiatives, academic excellence, and a vibrant research ecosystem that spans the countrys leading universities. While 2025 has not yet brought large public events, the ongoing work of Finlands student societies and research groups reflects a sustained commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the professional development of young engineers.

Two long-standing student societies Maa- ja kalliorakentajat ry and Seula ry remain central spaces for student engagement. Through technical visits, collaborations with partner companies, and the traditional Finnish blend of learning and networking during sauna evenings, these groups help integrate students into the broader geotechnical community and provide early, valuable exposure to industry practice.

Equally significant is the depth and diversity of research led by young geotechnical engineers across Finland. Each major university contributes to distinct areas of national and international relevance:

• Aalto University advances soft soil engineering, low-emission and carbon-neutral soil improvement, carbon sequestration, laboratory and in-situ testing, mine tailings reuse, numerical modelling (including freezing, landslides, avalanches, and dynamics), and development of guidelines, best practices, and software tools.
• Tampere University leads in in-situ testing (with emphasis on CPTU and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance), soil sampling, soft soil engineering, numerical modelling of geostructures, offshore geotechnics, AI applications in geotechnical design, and reliability-based approaches.
• Oulu University anchors research on cold-climate geotechnics, including dam engineering, soil frost behavior, geoenvironmental engineering, geotechnical modelling, and the increasing use of remote sensing and drone-based techniques.

Looking ahead, the Finnish Geotechnical Society (SGY) will continue to host national events, most notably the annual Geotechnical Day, where the best masters thesis is recognized. This tradition provides an important platform to celebrate young talent and connect emerging professionals with the wider geotechnical community.

Finlands young members demonstrate that progress is not only achieved through large events, but also through the steady, meaningful contributions made every day in research labs, field testing programs, and student society activitiesreinforcing Finlands role as a dynamic contributor to global geotechnical development.

Get Involved!

This update is part of the broader YMPG News campaign, showcasing activities from young geotechnical professionals around the world.

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