Aalto - School of Science

Virtual acoustics researcher Tapio Lokki awarded for the social impact of his work

Adjunct Professor, Academy Research Fellow Tapio Lokki has been awarded the Academy of Finland Award for social impact. Lokki and his research team at the Department of Media Technology, Aalto University School of Science, are working to develop physically-based room acoustic modelling methods that can be used to create virtual auditory environments. Their research will help us to better understand and predict the acoustics of acoustically demanding spaces, such as concert halls.

During the past two years, Lokki’s research team has been the first in the world to combine sensory evaluation methods, used in wine and food tasting, with research in concert hall acoustics. By using innovative research methods, the team has been able to produce more detailed information on what people hear and what they listen to in concert halls.

To record the acoustics of concert halls, Lokki’s team created a calibrated loudspeaker orchestra that simulated a real symphony orchestra and played music in exactly the same way in every recorded concert hall. After extensive tests, the team defined sensory profiles for the studied halls in order to explain people’s preferences, that is, to better understand why certain concert halls have good acoustics.   

The Academy of Finland Award for social impact is granted to researchers who have significantly contributed to increasing public awareness of scientific research or the researcher’s job, inspired interest in science, actively contributed to public debate in society, or otherwise strengthened the role, application and impact of science and research in society.    

In addition to Tapio Lokki, the Academy of Finland also rewarded Adjunct Professor Mikko Salo from the University of Helsinki for his scientific courage. Salo is a mathematician whose research focuses on inverse problems in medical imaging and seismology. The Academy of Finland Awards were presented at the Academy of Finland’s Science Gala in Helsinki on Thursday 27 October 2011.

For more information contact: Tapio Lokki, tel. +358 40 578 2486, tapio.lokki [at] aalto [dot] fi