In my approach to teaching, I accord paramount importance to cultivating a secure and nurturing classroom environment, whether in-person, virtual, or hybrid. This setting encourages com- prehension, sparks intellectual curiosity, and fosters exploration of ideas. I am committed to providing support, imparting the art of constructive feedback, and stimulating students to engage in critical thinking. Central to my pedagogical framework are the principles of critical thinking and the cultivation of a mindset that embraces continuous learning and other perspectives. In today’s swiftly evolving digital age, this approach is particularly pertinent as both education and professional landscapes are in constant flux.

I design my teaching strategy to endow students with not only adaptable skills but also the capacity to adeptly embrace change and harness emerging technologies. Acknowledging the evolving contours of modern career trajectories characterized by pro-longed professional commitments, I foster a sense of social sustainability. This involves preparing students not just for immediate career requisites, but for a lifelong voyage of learning in an ever-transforming world. In essence, my pedagogical philosophy revolves around enabling students to comprehend subjects comprehensively while nurturing a genuine enthusiasm for continuous learning and learning to do so in a socially sustainable manner.

Bachelor, Master’s and Ph.D. level courses

Feedback from Ph.D. student:

“I am writing this reference letter in strong support of Hertta Vuorenma, who has been my thesis advisor for the past year. I understand that she is applying for a lecturer position at Aalto School of Science, and I am pleased to share my experiences working with her.

From the moment I first contacted Hertta Vuorenmaa, she displayed a caring attitude towards me. Our meetings were consistently fruitful and inspiring, leaving me feeling highly motivated and encouraged. Vuorenmaa engaged in high-level discussions and provided valuable pragmatic and practical advice whenever I faced challenges or uncertainties. Her ability to guide me when I felt lost was instrumental in shaping the direction of my academic work.

One of Vuorenmaa's greatest strengths lies in her exceptional communication skills. She possesses the ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and precision, making it easier for me to comprehend and apply the discussed ideas effectively. Moreover, her confidence in her subject matter expertise instils trust and confidence, creating a supportive environment.

As a thesis advisor, Vuorenmaa provided me with constructive critiques of my work, emphasizing areas for improvement while also acknowledging and celebrating my accomplishments. This balanced approach allowed me to flourish and improve in my research endeavours. Her support and encouragement played a crucial role in the continuity of my academic research.

In summary, I wholeheartedly endorse Hertta Vuorenmaa for this Lecturer position. Her caring attitude, dedication to work, and exceptional communication skills make her an ideal candidate. I am confident that she will make a significant and positive impact on the academic community at Aalto.”

Feedback from Ph.D. student:

“Hertta has been an amazing Ph.D. supervisor and a remarkable mentor throughout my journey. Her support and feedback on my work have been crucial in shaping my research. Beyond that, she has consistently shown care, understanding, and encouragement, making the Ph.D. process more manageable. Under her guidance, I have not only honed my academic skills but also learned how to navigate challenging situations, such as handling criticism on research papers and managing work-related stress. Her advice and strategies have been invaluable in overcoming obstacles and staying focused on my goals.

In addition to being an excellent supervisor, Hertta has been a great role model as a teacher. As her teaching assistant and co-teacher, I have had the opportunity to learn from her insights and experiences. From developing a comprehensive course syllabus to crafting effective assignments and exams, she has provided me with invaluable guidance on creating an inclusive learning environment for students. Moreover, Hertta has played a crucial role in shaping my teaching style. By giving me opportunities to teach several sessions, she encouraged me to embrace my unique strengths (e.g., my research) and develop my approach to teaching. Her constructive feedback has further helped to improve my teaching methods.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful for Hertta's supervision, support, and mentorship, which have had a great impact on both my academic and personal growth. Her dedication and commitment to her students have been a huge inspiration to me that I will always value and strive for.”

Feedback from Master’s student:

“Prof. Hertta Vuorenmaa worked as a supervisor for my master’s Thesis from the spring of 2022 until the summer of 2023. With Hertta’s impressive knowledge and experience in the field of business management she was able to give me a tremendous amount of valuable guidance throughout the process. Hertta’s commitment, attention to detail and supportive mindset makes her a brilliant supervisor for any goal-driven student. Throughout the thesis process, Hertta consistently demonstrated exceptional availability and flexibility in accommodating my schedule. Simultaneously, her demanding yet motivational approach pushed me to strive for giving nothing less than my utmost effort.

One of the most impressive aspects of Hertta's supervision is her deep engagement with her student’s research topic. Hertta possess an exceptional ability to delve into complex subject matter, provide insightful feedback, and ask thought-provoking questions that challenge and refine my thesis’ research directions. This active involvement has significantly enriched the depth and quality of my thesis. Hertta's dedication to academic rigor is evident in her meticulous review of my work. Her constructive critiques have not only helped me enhance the clarity and coherence of my writing but have also guided me towards refining i.e., my research methodologies and theoretical framework.

During my master’s studies at Aalto University, I have also attended a course where Hertta was a guest lecturer. I was already very impressed by her way of teaching even complex subjects in an interesting and concise manner. I can highly recommend Hertta as a thesis supervisor and a professor most importantly because of her passion for academic exploration, dedication to fostering student growth, and expertise in management studies. It has been my pleasure to work together with Hertta and I can strongly recommend her to any suitable position.”

Feedback from Master’s student:

“Throughout my whole master’s thesis journey, Hertta has always been an inspirational and supportive supervisor. Her guidance and advice have helped me to gain deeper and more practical knowledge in analysing and writing academic papers. At the same time, she motivated me to be more confident in my own research (something I severely lacked initially), but still to think critically enough to produce good findings. Thanks to Hertta's patience and thoughtfulness, I found the last part of my master’s study much valuable and, although requiring high efforts, also highly rewarding. Working with her has been such a pleasure, as I was also able to grow personally and confidently move on to my next chapter after graduation.”

Feedback from Master’s student:

” I completed my master’s thesis under Hertta's supervision in spring 2023. I had already heard good things about Hertta as a tutor from other students, and my expectations were not in vain. I received guidance exactly according to my needs, and my questions were answered quickly. Hertta encouraged me to write the thesis in my own style and gave me good resources for the literature review. As a supervisor, Hertta took into account both my own resources and potential as a student, as a result of which I received a grade for the work, which I am very satisfied with.”