In Memory of Tuomas Pekkarinen

1972–2022

A Workshop

Hotel Presidentti, Helsinki  ·  Friday, 28 August 2026

Portrait of Tuomas Pekkarinen
Tuomas Pekkarinen (1972–2022)

Tuomas Pekkarinen was Research Professor at the VATT Institute for Economic Research and taught at Aalto University. An empirical labour economist, he studied how education policy shapes social mobility and equality of opportunity, along with the role of gender and family background — work that paired methodological rigour with a lasting commitment to questions that matter for society.

Tuomas passed away suddenly on 29 November 2022. This one-day workshop brings together his co-authors, colleagues, and students from across the stages of his career to remember him and to celebrate his work.

Read more — English translations: Obituary (Helsingin Sanomat)  ·  In Memoriam (Kansantaloudellinen aikakauskirja)
Finnish originals: Helsingin Sanomat · Kansantaloudellinen aikakauskirja (PDF)

Preliminary Programme

9:30–10:30
Introduction
Four presentations, 15 minutes each
  1. Roope UusitaloWork in Progress
  2. Marko TerviöConscript Underachievement
  3. Sari Pekkala KerrGender Differences in Experiments and Natural Experiments
  4. Juhana VartiainenThe Economist as a Mayor: Climbing Towards the Pareto Frontier
10:30–11:00
Coffee
11:00–12:40
The doctoral years
Five presentations, 20 minutes each
  1. Konstantinos TatsiramosOn the Origins of Socioeconomic Inequalities: Evidence from Twin Families
  2. Daniela VuriDegrees of Deception: How Test Score Manipulation Mitigates Temperature’s Impact on Student Performance
  3. Ana Sanz de GaldeanoStrength in Numbers? Immigrant Peers and the Immigrant–Native Gap in Bullying Victimization
  4. Miquel PellicerIs there a bias in the tax policy-making process towards better-off citizens?
  5. Andrea IchinoGender-based policy and signaling
12:40–14:00
Lunch
At Sokos Presidentti
14:00–16:00
The postdoctoral years
Six presentations, 20 minutes each
  1. Steve MachinTitle TBA
  2. Chris RiddellTitle TBA
  3. Manuel Bagues & Natalia ZinovyevaFemale Promotions and the Academic Pipeline: Evidence from a Natural Experiment
  4. Peter FredrikssonOutside Job Opportunities and the Gender Gap in Pay
  5. Per JohanssonUnderstanding the STEM Gender Gap: The Role of Interests and Preferences in Educational Choice
  6. Kjell SalvanesThe Making of Equality: How the Second World War Shaped the Norwegian Income Distribution
16:00–16:30
Coffee
16:30–17:30
The next generation
Three presentations, 20 minutes each
  1. Matti SarvimäkiFinding One’s Path: Career-Counselor Training and Students’ Educational Choices
  2. Hanna VirtanenEducation, Gender, and Family Formation
  3. Tuomo VirkolaCollege Admissions Criteria, Students' Academic Performance and Social Mobility
19:00
Dinner
Restaurant 305

Venue & practical information

Workshop venue

Hotel Sokos Presidentti
Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4, Helsinki
Seminar room Carl Gustaf
Arrival instructions

Lunch

At Sokos Presidentti. Sponsored by Helsinki GSE for presenters & out-of-town guests.

Dinner

19:00 · Restaurant 305
Toinen linja 3, Helsinki
Sponsored by EDUCA. Presenters, out-of-town guests, and by invitation only.

Run to Seurasaari

For those interested, there is an informal run to Seurasaari the following morning — Saturday, 29 August at 9:00.