The exquisite aesthetic highlights of life are at best truly powerful and life-enriching, but they function strongly from the basis of and in relation to those more mundane experiences that reflect and mould one’s sensitivities on a daily basis.

Sanna Lehtinen – Art Researcher and Philosopher

I am the Senior University Lecturer in History and Theory of Contemporary Art at the Transdisciplinary Art Studies unit (TAITE) at the Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture (AaltoARTS). I hold also the title of Docent in Aesthetics at the University of Helsinki, from which I graduated with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in December 2015. I’m an art researcher and philosopher by training and a curious collaborator by personality.

My professional interests include urban/environmental/everyday aesthetic values and experiences, human–technology relations, and contemporary forms of art. My research focuses on the intersection of urban environmental aesthetics, philosophy of the city, and philosophy of technology. I have a special interest in finding out how philosophical and applied aesthetics can support human wellbeing, design practices, and environmental sustainability and thus contribute to a better understanding of the complex challenges related to the contemporary forms of human life.

Before launching my academic career, I worked for a while as a curator of contemporary art at the Amos Anderson Art Museum (currently Amos Rex). I have since been involved in curatorial and writing projects on contemporary art throughout my career. I have also experience working on projects outside the academia, in consultancy roles in prestigious urban/property development projects.

My publications include 40+ peer-reviewed journal articles and chapters in edited volumes published by top-tier international academic publishers. I was the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief (2022–25) of Philosophy of the City Journal (Groningen University Press) and the Assistant Editor of Contemporary Aesthetics (2022–). I have also edited special issues for Mediapolis: Journal of Cities and Culture, Environmental Values, East Asian Journal of Philosophy, ESPES, Contemporary Aesthetics, and Open Philosophy.

FULL ACADEMIC CV

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