Professor Mikko Koria
Professor of Design Innovation, Director of the Institute for Design Innovation
Mikko’s key expertise is linked to successful leadership of complex, multicultural and multidisciplinary organisations and initiatives, combining technical and social goals.
After researching and teaching in design, architecture and business studies in Brazil, Finland and the UK, Mikko’s research has focused on interdisciplinary learning, extreme projects and design business innovation. Over the last thirty years, Mikko has been widely engaged in management practice, research and teaching in various universities and the private, public and the third sectors in both industrialised countries and emerging economies.
Mikko has led complex, multicultural and interdisciplinary initiatives and organisations, building teams and meaningful solutions in humanitarian work and business contexts, in many cases linking technical and social goals. He has continuously expanded his design and architecture background to include expertise in the fields of management, economics, and innovation while always being conscious about wide and inclusive value creation for those involved.
Mikko's research, teaching and enterprise activities have taken him to Brazil, Mozambique, Sri Lanka, Vanuatu, Spain, Finland and the UK for long term engagements. He has also been involved in long and short terms project work in with organisations such as the EU, the World Bank, the Red Cross and UNICEF in over twenty countries in South America, Africa, Asia, Oceania and Europe.
