This year's City of Helsinki Scientific Award was presented to Academy Professor Minna Palmroth on Helsinki Day, 12 June. Palmroth works as a professor at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Science and is an internationally renowned researcher in space physics. The value of the scientific award is EUR 10 000.
, the recipient of the 2026 City of Helsinki Scientific Award, is an Academy Professor at the University of Helsinki Faculty of Science. She is a space physics researcher of exceptional international stature, whose work has contributed significantly to the understanding of near-Earth space, space weather and issues related to the sustainable use of space.
Palmroth's most significant breakthroughs include the Vlasiator simulation, the world's first and most accurate six-dimensional hybrid Vlasov model of the Earth's magnetic environment, which is widely used in international space research.
From 2018 to 2025, Palmroth headed the Research Council of Finland's Centre of Excellence in Research of Sustainable Space, the research of which combined scientific excellence with societal impact. Palmroth is currently heading the Centre of Excellence in Space Resilience (2026-2033), which is conducting research to improve society's resilience in the constantly changing circumstance regarding the utilisation of near-Earth space.
Palmroth is also an active science communicator and influencer. Among other things, she has inspired children to take up science by co-authoring the science storybook Prinsessa, leijona ja maailmankaikkeuden salaisuus ('The Princess, the Lion and the Secret of the Universe') with Elina Hiltunen. Palmroth has also helped to raise awareness of northern lights research.
"It is special to be able to work in a place where the history is so long and yet the future so open: the people of the University of Helsinki have always played a part in shaping Finnish history", Palmroth said.
"Here you can feel yourself to be part of something greater than yourself - a long chain of knowledge, built together. That feels valuable beyond measure."
The City of Helsinki Scientific Award was presented by Mayor Daniel Sazonov as part of the Helsinki Day celebrations on 12 June.
