Practical Information

Find all the practical information about the Conference venue, reception, accommodation options, and the city of Helsinki itself below.
Guidelines & Practicalities

For smooth communication during our keynote and panel sessions, we kindly ask all participants to join the Teams platform that we have created for the conference. Please join the platform by latest on 8 December.

By using Teams, we aim to have a smooth delivery of the hybrid conference. 

  1. Everyone (especially presenters) should upload their files (e.g. slides presentation) on Teams to avoid technical problems.
  2. Online presenters and audience join the panels via Teams meetings (We offer technical testing opportunities before the conference).
  3. The keynote sessions are held as Teams live events and will be accessible through Teams and the conference website.
  4. Panels will be recorded and available later for participants who cannot attend in real-time.

To join our HEPP4 Conference Team: (Read pages 5-7 here for more details if you are new to Teams)

  • With the email address you provided us, you will receive an invitation to join as guest to the University of Helsinki in Microsoft Teams no later than 4 December.
  • Click the “Open Microsoft Teams” button on the email, then wait to be added as a member to the HEPP4 Conference team. You will receive an automatic confirmation email once added.
  • Find our HEPP4 Conference team in your Microsoft Teams interface, or use the URL sent to you in the “HEPP4 Teams platform” email on 4 Dec to open the team and channels.

We kindly ask you NOT to share the link on unrestricted social media posts or platforms to keep the conference space safe.

Please carefully read the steps below to navigate the conference Teams. There are references to our full HEPP4 GUIDELINES for you to learn more when you find something unfamiliar.

  1. Familiarize yourself with the channels. Each conference panel has its own channel.
     
  2. Find the channels of panels you plan to participate in. Panel-specific channels are numbered and named according to the conference programme (Select hidden channels in the left menu)
     
  3. If you are presenting:
    • ​​Add your materials there under Files (ppt or any other files you wish to share). We kindly request all presenters do so by 8 December to avoid technical problems. For more details, please see pages 10-11 here.
    • Online presenters need to join their panels using Teams meeting. If you want to practice using the Teams platform (e.g., sharing your screen), please join our practice session on 6 December at 15.00-17.00 (EEST, UTC + 3:00). Read more detailed instructions on pages 11-12 here.
       
  4. For online audience:
    • Attend panels using PRE-SCHEDULED Teams meetings.
    • Post your questions/comments for panels in the meeting chat or use Raise your hand button to sign the chair that you have something to say.
    • Tune in to the Keynote sessions for keynotes. Keynote sessions are public events and open to online attendance (details on page 9 here
    • Please carefully read our instructions on the best practices, and etiquette on page 8 here.
       
  5. If you are not able to attend some of our fascinating panels, do not worry. All panels are recorded, so you will be able to access the recordings even when the conference is over (within 3 weeks after the conference to be exact).

  6. Remember Teams etiquette: mute your mic when you are not speaking, switch your camera on when you are speaking (preferable).

  7. If you are using several Teams accounts, you can switch the accounts in your profile settings (upper right corner of the screen).

  8. Please use the conference hashtag #HEPP4 in your social media posts. 

 

Please note! When you join the meeting, enter the scheduled meeting. Please DO NOT start a new meeting (see picture). 

Before the conference starts:
Upload your presentation to appropriate Teams channels. We ask both online and onsite presenters to upload their presentations, so our technical assistants can take care of all technical practicalities during your panel sessions and you will not need your own laptop or USB.

You are encouraged but not required to:

  • Upload your research paper to make it available for other peers to read and give you feedback
  • Read your peers’ papers and provide feedback
  • Chat and network with other participants at your panel and the conference.

During your panel session(s):
Presenters should take into consideration that they will have no more than 15 minutes to present their paper to leave time for questions and discussion.

After the conference:
Presenters may be invited to send their reviewed and improved papers to be considered for inclusion in a collective publication. Check out our working paper series from previous conferences.

*Detailed technical instructions and support are communicated directly to presenters via email and Microsoft Teams.

Helsinki is known for its hospitality regarding events gathering international researchers. Hence, we are happy to invite the HEPP4 Conference guests to the Reception at the City Hall of Helsinki on the 11th of December between 18.30 and 20.00 held in the Main Ballroom, at Pohjoisesplanadi 11-13, 00170 Helsinki. 

Venue and Access

All HEPP4's physical sessions and events (except for the City of Helsinki reception and HEPP4 reception) will be held at the City Centre Campus of the University of Helsinki, in two university buidlings on Siltavuorenpenger Street (Aurora & Athena). In this section, you can learn how to get there and information of each venue.

How to get there?

  • Bus: up to 5 minute walk from Kaisaniemi Park stop (Kaisaniemenpuisto/Kaisaniemi Parken) with lines 61/64/65/66/67/71/75/77/78
  • Tram: up to 10 minute walk from Kaisaniemi Park stop (lines 3/3H/6/6H/7/7H/9/9H), or from Snellmaninkatu stop (lines 7/7H)
  • Metro: up to 10 minute walk from University of Helsinki stop (Helsingin Yliopisto)
  • Train: up to 15 minute walk from Helsinki Central Railway Station (Helsingin päärautatieasema)

Home for the Faculty of Educational Sciences, the 62-year-old building is designed by the multi-talented architect Einari Teräsvirta and named after Swedish-Finish philanthropist Aurora Karamzin.
 

HEPP4 venues:
All keynote sessions are held in room 230 (lv2) while panels take place in room 115 (lv1), 209/212/223/224/225/226/229 (lv2).
You can find HEPP4 information desk (next to the entrance) and the coffee break corner on the ground floor (lv1).

Designed by the Paatela brothers and completed in 1928, the building has witnessed the severe bombing raid of 1944 and gone through two major renovations in the late 1940s and 1960s. It now houses the Faculty of Educational Sciences.

HEPP4 venues:
Some panels on Wednesday 13.12 will take place in room 167/168 (lv1), 302/303 (lv3).
You can find the coffee break corner on third floor (lv3).

The HEPP4 Participants will be provided with three lunch tickets to UniCafe Olivia located nearby the Conference venue at Siltavuorenpenger 5 A, 00170 Helsinki. The ticket includes one meal consisting of one main dish, one side dish, salads, appetizers and drinks. 

Your Guide to Helsinki

During the Christmas season, Helsinki is a popular tourist destination. In order for you to make the most out of the Conference experience, we have prepared a few tips on how to get oriented in the city, where to stay, how to commute, and what to see.  

While the availability of accommodation is unlikely to be limited, it is still better to make a reservation far in advance to get the best deals close to the venue in December. The following list has options for a variety of prices and expectations for accommodation close to the venue.

Expected prices are taken at the time of writing. Costs may increase and availability may diminish closer to the season.

 

More affordable options with an expected cost of less than 100€ per night. 

Eurohostel

The Yard

Senate Hotel

You may also find affordable hostel options from Hostelworld

Mid-priced options with an expected cost of 100-200€ per night 

Hotel Finn

 Various Hotels from Scandic chain: Kaisaniemi, Grand Marina, Grand Central Scandic Paasi, Scandic Kaisaniemi, Scandic Hakaniemi

GLO Hotel Kluuvi

Hotel Bastian

Töölö Towers

Hotel Arthur

 

More expensive options with an expected cost of 200€ or more per night.  

Hotel F6

Hotel Haven

Solo Sokos Hotel Helsinki

Hotel Kämp

 

For information about accommodations for the post-conference symposium in Rovaniemi, please visit the page for HEPP4 Post-Conference Symposium day.

The public transportation in Helsinki is well-developed and the city is quite easy to navigate with the HSL services, which provide you with all the necessary maps, routes, schedules and tickets for all the means of communication. We recommend checking their website or downloading the mobile app, linked below.

Art museums

For classical and national art, visit the recently renovated Ateneum: https://ateneum.fi/en 

https://ateneum.fi/en/exhibitions/ 

For bold architecture and art, don’t miss Amos Rex: https://amosrex.fi/en/ 

https://amosrex.fi/en/exhibitions/ 

For contemporary art, Kiasma is a must: https://kiasma.fi/en/ 

https://kiasma.fi/en/exhibitions/upcoming-exhibitions/ 

For design lovers, Design museum, don’t miss: https://www.designmuseum.fi/en/ 

All museums listed are located in the city center, accessible by foot or short metro/tram rides. 

 

Other architectural must-sees

Oodi “The best library in the world”: https://oodihelsinki.fi/en 

The Rock Church: https://www.temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/en/index/nimi.html 

Empire architecture at the National library of Finland: https://www.kansalliskirjasto.fi/en/using-library/visiting-library 

 

Christmas market 

Helsinki Christmas Market on Senate Square is the oldest outdoor Christmas market in Helsinki. The opening hours last from 1 December to 22 December 2023 Sun–Thu at 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Fri–Sat at 11 a.m. – 8 p.m

https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/see-and-do/events/helsinki-christmas-market-2023 

You can find out about the detailed programme here. https://tuomaanmarkkinat.fi/en/

Sauna experience

A classic public sauna open since 1928 in vibrant Kallio easily accessible by metro and tram: https://www.kotiharjunsauna.fi/en/home/ 

An edgy architecture and an opportunity to dip in the sea: https://www.loylyhelsinki.fi/en/ 

For a view on the Helsinki harbor and swimming in several outdoor pools at walking distance from the university: https://allasseapool.fi/?lang=en 

A cosy sauna in Hakaniemi with possibility of ice swimming (reserve a slot!): https://kulttuurisauna.fi/ 

 

Outdoor activities

The world heritage fortified island of Suomenlinna, just a short ferry ride away from the Market Place, open all year long: https://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/ 

Sipping a coffee by the sea (even in winter!) at the lovely Regatta café in Töölö https://www.caferegatta.fi/in-english after admiring the Sibelius monument near by https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/see-and-do/sights/sibelius-monument 

 

Botanical garden

The Winter Garden, a free of charge oasis open throughout the winter season situated by the Töölö bay: https://www.hel.fi/en/culture-and-leisure/outdoor-activities-parks-and-nature-destinations/parks/the-winter-garden 

 

Indoor market halls 

Visit the oldest market hall of Finland (open in 1889) situated by the harbor for Finnish delicacies and its unique atmosphere: https://vanhakauppahalli.fi/en/ 

Enjoy the newly renovated market hall of Hakaniemi that dates back to 1914 and offers plenty of good eateries: https://hakaniemenkauppahalli.fi/en/ 

The market hall of Hietalahti built in 1903 is also worth a visit: https://hietalahdenkauppahalli.fi/en/ 

All market halls are located in the city center and accessible with short metro or tram rides. Hakaniemi is the closest to the conference venue. 

 

Ask Me! We will be there for you!

Throughout the Conference, you can spot our HEPP Assistants wearing the pink badges saying "Ask Me!". Do not hesitate to approach them and ask anything related to the HEPP4 that might be of concern to you. We are ready to help and clear things up!