Laura Höijer is BSAG’s Content Director and a solutions-oriented idealist. During her twenty-plus years in the environmental field she has worked as a researcher, research funder, in business and in administration. Laura is used to managing large projects and she is not afraid to think big and outside the box.
“My passion lies in concrete environmental work and the practical implementation of scientific knowledge. The most important thing about my work has always been its significance and the opportunity to make a difference.”
As Content Director Laura is responsible for BSAG’s current and future initiatives and projects. She also leads the foundation in co-operation with Managing Director Michaela Ramm-Schmidt.
Laura holds a PhD in soil microbiology and is a docent in microbial ecology. Currently, BSAG is “loaning” Laura as she is on temporary leave from her position as Research Director at the Ministry of the Environment.
In her spare time, Laura prefers to spend her time in nature and with her family. All kinds of sports are important to Laura and her favorite ways to recharge are walks with the dog and yoga with her daughters.
Professional life
2018– (on leave of absence from the Ministry of the Environment until 2022) Baltic Sea Action Group (Foundation for a Living Baltic Sea), Content Director
2010–2018 Ministry of the Environment, Research Director
2008–2009 MTT Agrifood Research Finland (now part of Natural Resources Institute Finland), Director of Environmental Research
2002–2008 Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, Head of Research
2001–2002 Soil and Water Oy, Jaakko Pöyry Infra (now Pöyry Environment Oy), environmental expert, environmental consulting
Education etc.
1994–2000 First trainee and later research assistant and researcher, Finnish Forest Research Institute (now part of Natural Resources Institute Finland)
Master of Science in Agriculture and Forestry, 1997, University of Helsinki.
Ph.D. in Agriculture and Forestry, 1999, University of Helsinki
Docent (Microbial Ecology), 2001, University of Helsinki
National Defence Courses (MPK 213), 2015
Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, 2014
Positions of trust
2010 – Forum for Environmental Information, member of the Steering Group
2014 – Future Earth Finland, National Committee for Global Change Research, member of the Steering Group
2021 – Climate smart carbon cycle research programme (Luke programme), member of the Stakeholder Advisory Board