Active member of the society

Vaisala is involved in active discussion with different stakeholders, promoting advancement in science, particularly the development of environmental measurement.

Collaboration with research bodies and universities

Vaisala closely collaborates with a number of meteorological authorities around the world, such as the Finnish Meteorological Institute, Deutsche Wetterdienst in Germany, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, and the International Civil Aviation Organization. Vaisala is also an active member of the UN World Meteorological Organization, WMO. Vaisala sponsors the annual Professor Vilho Väisälä awards granted by the WMO with a USD 20,000 donation.

Vaisala grants research scholarships to universities, students and researchers in both the United States and Finland. In 2007, Vaisala was involved in many research and development projects with universities and other providers of higher education.

In the 1960s, Professor Vilho Väisälä, the company's founder, donated Vaisala shares to the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and these shares were used to establish the Vilho, Yrjö and Kalle Väisälä Fund. The Fund annually gives grants for research in mathematics, physics, geophysics, meteorology and astronomy. In 2008, the Fund granted altogether EUR 1 million to more than 100 researchers.

Thunderstorm Awareness Week

Lightning is one of the most dangerous weather phenomena in the United States. While admiring their beauty, it is good to keep in mind that they can pose a serious threat to people and property. Each year lightning causes tens of deaths and hundreds of injuries throughout the nation.

The annual Thunderstorm Safety Awareness Week is an efficient way to campaign to lower these rates. The campaign is run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other lightning experts. Vaisala is one of the sponsors participating both on a national and regional level. Vaisala's representative serves as an expert and consultative member on the national executive panel. Regionally, in Southern Arizona Vaisala's representative sits on the planning committee and the company also provides an expert resource throughout the week to help public and media.

During the 2007 Thunderstorm Awareness Week Vaisala sponsored the Tucson Children's Museum Father's Day Golf Tournament providing lightning education during the event. With the support of Vaisala and the regional Thunderstorm Safety Awareness committee, the Tucson Children's Museum hosted two weeks of weather safety educational activities.

The Federation of Finnish Technology Industries

Vaisala is a member of the Federation of Finnish Technology Industries, and the company's CEO is a member of the Federation's Board of Directors. Vaisala also actively participates in the undertakings of the Federation's different working groups, such as the Working Group for Environmental Issues that observes environmentally relevant legislation and promotes cooperation between the authorities, companies and environmental experts. This activity also provides Vaisala with new insights on how to use environmental perspectives in improving the company's competitiveness.