Eija Tanskanen has been dismissed as director of the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory due to serious issues related to management, finances, and procurement identified by the University of Oulu.
Eija Tanskanen, the director of the Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory, was dismissed on March 12 by the University of Oulu following a report revealing serious deficiencies in the unit's management practices. The investigation focused on the years 2023 to 2025 and uncovered significant issues in financial oversight, procurement processes, and overall leadership effectiveness. These findings raised concerns about the observatory’s operational integrity and prompted the university to take action.
In response to the report, the University of Oulu has announced plans to restructure and improve the operations of the Sodankylä Observatory. The university aims to rectify the financial aspects of the unit and enhance its overall functionality. This indicates a commitment to addressing the weaknesses identified in the investigation, which may involve new policies or strategies to ensure better management in the future.
Following Tanskanen's dismissal, Arto Vaarala, the laboratory manager, has temporarily taken over as the acting director. This transition highlights the urgency of leadership changes within the observatory as the university navigates through this period of reorganization and aims to restore confidence in the institution’s capabilities and management practices.
