Architect named among Finland’s top early-career scholars

A St John’s specialist in Nordic and Arctic architecture has been awarded membership of Young Academy Finland – one of the highest honours an early-career scholar from Finland can achieve.

Dr Sofia Nivarti, University Assistant Professor of Architecture, St John’s College Director of Studies in Architecture, and a Fellow, is among 18 new members nominated by the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters.

Dr Nivarti, who is a native of Jyväskylä, Finland, said: “I am currently researching the histories and theories of the Indigenous Sámi architecture and contributing to various initiatives related to Finnish modern building heritage and cultural policy. A more intimate connection to Finland via the academy therefore comes at an opportune time.”

Young Academy Finland was established by the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters with the help of an endowment from the Emil Aaltonen Foundation in 2017. The multidisciplinary society for young scholars aims to promote research and strengthen the status of science and scholarship in society.

Dr Nivarti, who attended the inaugural members’ event at the academy headquarters in Helsinki in September, is the only architectural scholar in the 2025 cohort. The other areas of expertise range from astrophysics and philosophy to health economics and membership runs for four years.

The academy collaborates extensively with academic organisations both in Finland and internationally. Elected Young Academy members meet regularly to discuss their research and science and scholarship in general, and to advance work in specialist committees that address themes ranging from scientific education to national and international research policy.

Dr Nivarti, a College Lecturer in Architecture at St John’s, said: “I look forward to connecting and collaborating with peers from different disciplines. In many ways, the interdisciplinary nature of the academy resembles the constitutional diversity of a collegiate community – scholars of various persuasions come together to learn from one another.”