Dr. Niko Soininen has a keen interest in marine environmental law, water law, and nature conservation law on international, EU, and national levels alike. In his theoretical work, Soininen focuses on adaptive law and governance, and methods of legal interpretation.

He is a co-editor of a book entitled ‘Transboundary Marine Spatial Planning and International Law’ (Earthscan/Routledge 2015) and author of several articles and book chapters on marine environmental law, water law, and nature conservation law, as well as adaptive law theory.

Outside of academia, Soininen has worked as a consultant for HELCOM, the World Bank, and for several ministries responsible for implementing marine environmental-, water- and nature conservation law in Finland.

1. Personal information

• Date and place of birth: 7.12.1985, Varkaus, Finland
• Citizenship: Finnish

2. Education and degrees awarded

10/2016         Doctor of Law, University of Eastern Finland, environmental law. Doctoral thesis entitled ‘Transparencies in Legality: A Legal Analysis of the Reason-Giving Requirement in Water Management Permitting in Finland’. Approved with Distinction.

1/2011           Master of Science, University of Eastern Finland, environmental law and -policy. Master’s thesis on the Finnish System of Water Law. Graded laudatur.

8/2009           Bachelor of Science, University of Joensuu, environmental law and -policy. Bachelor’s thesis on the Finnish System of Water Law. Graded 5/5.

3. Other education and training

8/2012           University of Eastern Finland – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements, special theme ”Ocean Governance”.

4. Current position(s)

Assistant Professor (sustainable law, regulation and governance, tenure track), University of Helsinki 1.9.2018–.

Senior Researcher (environmental law), University of Eastern Finland 1.9.2018–.

5. Previous work experience

Senior Lecturer (environmental law and jurisprudence), University of Eastern Finland 1.1.2018–31.5.2018. 

Postdoctoral Researcher (ocean governance law), University of Gothenburg (Sweden) 1.9.2017–31.8.2018.

Senior Lecturer (environmental law and jurisprudence), University of Eastern Finland 1.11.2016–31.8.2017.

Lecturer (environmental law and jurisprudence), University of Eastern Finland 1.6.2013–31.10.2016.

Researcher (environmental law), University of Eastern Finland, 1.2.2011–31.5.2013.

6. Research funding

Finnish Academy (Strategic Research Council) funded interdisciplinary research project entitled ’BLUEADAPT’, 1.1.2018–31.12.2020, 379.171 EUR.

Finnish government funded (VnTeas) project on the derogation regime of the Water Framework Directive, 1.8.2017–30.4.2018, 55.624 EUR.

Saastamoinen Foundation Travel Grant 4.4.2017, 5.500 EUR.

ASLA-Fulbright Research Grant for a Junior Scholar 6.3.2017, 13.500 USD.

Fully funded doctoral candidate at the ‘Law in a Changing World’ doctoral school coordinated by the University of Helsinki law school, 1.1.2012–31.12.2015, 86.400 EUR.

Travel grant, Erkki J. Hollo Foundation, 28.11.2011, 2.000 EUR.

Travel grant, Emil Aaltonen Foundation, 20.4.2011, 5.000 EUR.

Travel grant, Kyösti Haataja Foundation, 7.4.2011, 10.500 EUR.

Ph.D. funding (three years), Finnish Cultural Foundation, 17.4.2011, 21.000 EUR (first year grant).

7. Leadership and supervision experience

Doctoral theses (on-going): HTM Suvi-Tuuli Puharinen; OTM Amanda Nikkilä

Master’s theses (finished): HTM Suvi-Tuuli Puharinen (graded laudatur); HTM Mauri Keränen (graded magna cum laude approbatur); HTM Matti Mikkelä (graded magna cum laude approbatur); MSc Aziya Taalaibekkyzy (graded magna cum laude approbatur)

Sub-project PI, Finnish Academy (Strategic Research Council) funded interdisciplinary research project entitled ’BLUEADAPT’, 1.1.2018–31.12.2023.

Sub-project PI, Finnish government funded (VnTeas) project on the derogation regime of the Water Framework Directive, 1.8.2017–30.4.2018.

8. Teaching experience

1.6.2013–31.8.2017, environmental law and legal theory, University of Eastern Finland. Courses taught: International environmental law (legal principles, and treaty interpretation); International marine environmental law, and the law of the sea; Finnish and European water law; International water law; Master’s thesis seminar for environmental law; Legal theory (particularly theory of legal interpretation); Legal writing.

9. Experience of organising scientific meetings

7.–9.2.2018   Adaptive water governance workshop in Annapolis, MD, US co-organised with prof. Barb Cosens and prof. JB Ruhl

10. Prizes

10.11.2017   Finnish Lawyers’ Association prize for an outstanding Ph.D. thesis in law.

30.3.2017     University of Eastern Finland Junior Scholar prize for an outstanding Ph.D. thesis.

30.8.2012     Extra Mile Award for extraordinary negotiation technique, 9th University of Eastern Finland – UNEP Course on Multilateral Environmental Agreements. Grenada Ad Hoc Working Group Exercise.

11. Other academic merits

Positions in academic journals

Co-editor in chief, Finnish Journal of Environmental Law (Ympäristöjuridiikka), 1.1.2017–present.

Editor, Finnish Journal of Environmental Law (Ympäristöjuridiikka), 1.2.2012–31.12.2016.

Responsibilities in university administration

Vice member of the board of directors at Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, 1.9.2018–.

Member of the board of directors for the doctoral programme in law at the University of Eastern Finland department of law 1.5.2013–31.8.2017.

Post-graduate coordinator and secretary for the board of directors of the post-doctoral study programme, University of Eastern Finland, 1.8.2012–31.12.2012.

Memberof the Research Council at the University of Eastern Finland12.9.2011–31.7.2012.

Vice memberof the steering committee of the doctoral programme at the University of Eastern Finland 12.9.2011–31.8.2012.