Research work

Satu Miettinen has been granted 10 749 966€ worth of external funding. She is among the leading scholars in service design, with a citation profile reflecting both broad and sustained international influence. Her impact is rooted in pioneering contributions to service design, arts-based and participatory research, and a portfolio of foundational books and methods that have shaped research, education, and practice internationally.

She has led 20 different research projects funded by Business Finland, Tekes, the Academy of Finland, Horizon 2020, EU CIP, Interreg Europe, Interreg North, Erasmus Mundus, the European Social Fund and Kone Fund, among others. She has supervised more than 20 PhDs and 74 Master’s degrees. Her main research areas are: design research, arts-based research, artistic research, service design, social design, socially engaged arts and life-centred design.

As an example, she worked as the principal investigator in different projects. One of these was the Acting on the Margins: Arts as Social Sculpture (AMASS) project. It was funded by the European Commission Horizon 2020 Transformations program (2020-2022). – The SeeYouth project, a global Trans-Atlantic Platform project funded by the Academy of Finland (2020-2021). – The Participatory Design with Youth (PARTY) project was funded by Horizon 2020 MSCA RISE between 2015 and 2019. It involved partners from South Africa, Namibia, Italy, and the UK. – There were several research projects. They were funded by the Finnish Innovation Fund TEKES, currently Business Finland. These included HYMY (2008–2010), PALMU (2010–2011), Value from Emotion (2013–2014), and HumanSee (2015–2016). – Implementing the DIMECC N4S research program (2014-2017). – She led an artistic research project. It was called “Women living on the edges of the world.” This project was funded by the KONE Foundation (2016-2017). The project explores the margins and coping in extreme remote conditions through artistic work in Russia, Australia, and Lapland. She led the Business Finland-funded Empathy Business project 2023-24.

Research profile

Satu Miettinen is writing about design on her LinkedIn page.

Bioart Exhibition: Nature Reimagined at Finland’s Embassy

The exhibition "Reimagining Nature: Bioart from the North," opening December 4, 2025, at the Embassy of Finland in Windhoek, features artist-researchers from the University of Lapland. It explores the intersection of bioart, design, and science, focusing on Arctic nature and organic materials, while highlighting themes of collaboration between disciplines and species.

Embrace Nature: A Mixed-Media Exhibition

The exhibition explores the connection between humans and nature, envisioning a world where people are hybrids with plants, influenced by Finnish folklore. It features five mixed-media photographic prints and two augmented reality installations, offering an interactive experience with the artist's narratives. The event runs from September 22 to October 10, 2025.

Exploring Human-Trees Connections in Arctic Landscapes

The images depict individuals symbolizing a birch grove, highlighting the interconnectedness of humans with nature. New materialist philosophy suggests our existence relies on this relationship. The piece encourages reflection on how to restore our bond with trees and learn from them, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the more-than-human world.

Experiencing Forest Bathing in Pyhä-Luosto

Blueberries stain hands and clothes, creating a vivid atmosphere in a mossy terrain that encourages relaxation. The forest, rich in life, highlights the interconnectedness of species, fostering multi-species meditation and placemaking. An upcoming exhibition at Gallery Kopio will explore these themes and their relation to a post-growth economy.

Creative Work: Transforming Hotel Rooms into Art Studios

In spring 2024, the author traveled to Ireland, Copenhagen, and London for work, exploring creative industries and participating in a doctoral defense. The accompanying images reflect how hotel rooms serve as creative spaces, capturing outdoor scenes and self-portraits. The project features augmented reality elements, exhibited at Valo Gallery later in 2024.

Behind the Scenes of Tuuliluleima Documentary

"The Making of Tuuliluleima" is a short documentary that highlights the collaborative creation of a design fiction film aimed at aiding entrepreneurs in strategic foresight. It showcases storytelling, worldbuilding, and design methodologies to explore potential futures. The film won an Award of Recognition at the IndieFEST Film Awards 2024, emphasizing innovative business strategies.

Innovative Placemaking in North Meets South Exhibition

The North Meets South photo exhibition explores placemaking through a union of northern and southern landscapes. Featuring images and augmented reality, it emphasizes artistic expression and emotional depth. Funded by Business Finland, the project integrates digital solutions in service design. The exhibition runs from January to August 2024 in Finland and Japan.

The Legacy of Family Traces in Art

The exhibition "The Trace of a Man" features 16 artists from the Faculty of Arts, exploring the concept of human traces in art. Curated by Aira Huovinen, each artist presents up to six works, reflecting personal and historical connections. Themes of inheritance and memory are highlighted, particularly through photography portraying parental imprints.

Research work

Share this: