Pirjo Kääriäinen serves as a Senior Advisor at Aalto University, focusing on fostering collaboration across disciplines, particularly in exploring new material innovations. Her academic journey has spanned several key roles: she worked as a professor of Design and Materialities, as a Professor of Practice, and as a Professor in Textile Art and Design (TaiK). Having joined Aalto University in 2008, Kääriäinen played a significant role in the CHEMARTS collaboration, a joint effort between the School of Arts, Design and Architecture and the School of Chemical Engineering. The initiative, which she co-facilitated from 2011 to 2025, aims to inspire both students and researchers to innovate with bio-based materials and develop sustainable concepts. Before her academic career, Pirjo Kääriäinen gained experience in the textile industry and business, and worked as an entrepreneur and consultant in the creative industries. Her professional interests are: bio-based materials, interdisciplinary collaboration, design for sustainable materials, experimental design, future textiles.

Webpages related to her work:
http://chemarts.aalto.fi

https://chemarts.aalto.fi/index.php/news/new-english-book-brings-material-science-to-children-and-young-people/

https://www.aalto.fi/en/aalto-university-bioinnovation-center

https://www.aalto.fi/en/department-of-design-/fashiontextile-futures