Hi, I’m Pirta!
A scientist and sailor, I have multidisciplinary expertise in economics, biology, and machine learning. I am currently working as a postdoctoral research fellow at the Institute for New Economic Thinking at the University of Oxford.
My research interests span from biodiversity science to macroeconomic modeling – I believe that solving the world’s urgent environmental issues requires a multidisciplinary understanding of both social-economic and ecological systems.
I have a deep love for the ocean. An experienced sailor, I have led boat-based scientific expeditions around the world – from atolls in the South Pacific to the rocky islands of the Baltic Sea. Sailing provides an exciting platform for environmental research and science communication.
I am also a part-time lecturer at Stanford University, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, and a member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club. In 2022, I received a PhD enrichment placement award from the Alan Turing Institute. I hold an MSc in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford (Distinction).
ScIENCE and sailing
Current work
New Technologies
How can we leverage satellites, drones, and AI to understand environmental change?
Complexity Economics
How can we better account for climate and biodiversity in economic models and policy?
Biodiversity
What are the fundamental processes that support biodiversity?
Science and sailing
Past projects
Figaro 3 Offshore Racing
2025 – Royal Ocean Racing Club
I participated in the Nastro Rosa double-handed offshore race. Sailing a Figaro 3 with my co-skipper Erik Holmbom, we finished third on the final leg from La Maddalena to Genova.
Computer Vision
2022 – Alan Turing Institute
I joined in the Data Study Group, an intensive ‘collaborative hackathon’, at the Alan Turing Institute. We developed a workflow leveraging computer vision to analyze underwater video imagery.
Circular Economy
2018 – The Finnish Innovation Fund
I worked in a small team to advance the use of sustainable, renewable materials. Our project was part of the Circular Economy Challenge of The Finnish Innovation Fund (Sitra) and Helsinki Think Company.
“
To build a sustainable future, we need to better understand the interconnections between social-economic and ecological systems.”
Work with me
Ideas or comments? Let me know!