Panu Halme appointed as Research professor of forest biodiversity
PhD, Docent Panu Halme has been appointed as Research professor of forest biodiversity at the Finnish Environment Institute. He started in the position on 1 November 2025.
Most recently, Halme worked as a university lecturer at the Department of Biological and Environmental Science at the University of Jyväskylä. He leads the BOOST research project, funded by the Strategic Research Council, which focuses on ecological compensation. In recent years, his other research topics have included the protection of small water bodies in forests and the development of nature value markets. Throughout his career, Halme has studied the impacts of various conservation and land-use decisions in forests and other ecosystems. Together with international colleagues, he has also researched forest conservation issues in Europe and the global diversity of fungi.
Panu Halme will work part-time at the Finnish Environment Institute until the end of 2025 and will be employed at 70% working time at the University of Jyväskylä. Starting from the beginning of 2026, he will be working full-time at the Finnish Environment Institute as a Research professor.
“I’m excited to join Syke’s skilled and multidisciplinary team! My goal is to diversify and strengthen Syke’s research on forest biodiversity. For example, I would like to study the role of small water bodies in spring-fed forests as elements that may help mitigate the effects of climate change. I also aim to explore the role of owners of medium-sized forests, such as municipalities and investment funds, as drivers of sustainability transformation in the forest sector. Syke’s international networks offer excellent opportunities to enhance research in this field. I’m also an enthusiastic science communicator and dedicate a lot of time to writing for general audiences, participating in expert working groups, and communicating via social media,” says Panu Halme.
Syke’s research professors are responsible for developing their research fields and related expertise to be internationally competitive, in line with Syke’s strategy. They lead large national and international projects, contribute to scientific publishing, and participate in both international and national research networks, stakeholder engagement, and policy influence.
The article was edited on 11 November 2025 at 11:52 to include a note about Halme’s role being part-time for the remainder of 2025.
