The History of SMFL

Protecting the Interests of Mathematicians, Physicists and Computer Scientists through the Years

During the years different people have been involved in the Finnish Association for Mathematicians, Physicists and Computer Scientists - SMFL. Their expertise gained in everyday working life reflects the current tides and issues of society. The work tasks themselves have also changed, but mathematics, physics and computer science remain a strong basis for the knowledge and skill of our members.

Looking back, certain periods can be seen in the development of the association. After SMFL was founded, it was important to make mathematicians and physicists understand how beneficial it could be in guarding their interests and supporting their professional development. To guide the operations and make them more effective, groups were formed based on different areas of expertise. In society the need for mathematical and scientific know-how increased gradually. It found more uses, became more diverse and began to gain prestige.

During the first couple of decades our association did not have many members and the resources at our disposal were fairly limited. Still, we were able to protect the interests of certain professions (e.g. hospital physicists, teachers and radiologists) rather effectively. The next move was to look for groups our association could join with and form larger, more effective groups. A significant increase in the SMFL membership came when computer science and information technology began to open up new possibilities for mathematicians and physicists. The private sector began to recruit people from our field. The traditional tasks of educated individuals began to change, and, at the same time, mathematics and physics created the foundation on which many areas of new technology could develop.

The decades that have passed have shown the importance of and need for this association. In the 1980’s SMFL stated that "… mathematicians, physicists and IT professionals need someone to fight for their cause. That is the role we see as ours. …" This has not changed, but this publication aims to familiarise us with other fields as well. As we do our part to improve society we want to see to it that the methods and tools we develop are used appropriately and effectively. We also want to initiate and be a part of the discourse about them. All of this is embedded in our regulations which aim to develop mathematical and physical education and thought. Forty years of history give us plenty of reasons to continue.

The First Pioneers - Insurance Mathematicians and Teachers

The Finnish Association for Mathematicians and Physicists, which later incorporated computer scientists as well, was founded in the autumn of 1961. The association joined Akava (Confederation of Unions for Academic Professionals in Finland) right from the start. Mathematicians were actively involved in the preliminary meetings, but it was decided that the proportion of physicists should be increased. The percentage of computer professionals did not increase until the 1970’s, when mathematicians and physicists began to work in the field, and later when students majoring in computer science started graduating.

After SMFL was entered into the registry of associations and held its first statutory meeting on November 27^th 1961, it had 39 founding members. Since then the amount of members has increased significantly: When the association joined the Finnish Technical Society (STS) in late 1983, it had nearly 400 members. At the beginning of 2001 we were up to 2000 members.

Many of the people who founded the association later worked as insurance mathematicians or teachers in secondary or other schools. Thus, the association took part in the committees of Akava, which dealt with issues concerning social security, membership fees and education.

The result of this was that, in the 1960’s, the association was both effective and important in safeguarding and developing the interests of mathematical educators. For instance, it did its part in securing more funds for physics education. Later in that decade SMFL joined forces with the Central Organisation for Secondary School Teachers (OK), which was also a member of Akava, to promote the interests of teachers. In the 1970’s the cooperation deepened, and the association began to include representatives of educators in its board. These representatives have provided a link to another organisation, the Association for Teachers of Mathematical Subjects (MAOL). When the Finnish education system was reformed in 1970, a strong trade union for teachers, the Trade Union of Education in Finland (OAJ), was formed. After it joined Akava, this trade union became the primary promoter of the interests of mathematicians and physicians working as teachers.

Society Needs New Occupational Groups - Hospital Physicists and Radiologists

Insurance mathematicians were the first clear group of professionals in our field besides educators. Physicists were scattered in different fields working as experts or in other specialised duties. Gradually, in the mid 60’s, physics found applications in hospitals, and positions for hospital physicists were established.

From the initiative of SMFL, the National Board of Health established an official board of competence, which included representatives from the association. The first thing the board did was to define an education program and degree requirements for hospital physicists. The first new degrees were handed out in the autumn of 1966. Far into the 1970’s, assembling the board to define the competence requirements for hospital physicists and grant the degrees was the responsibility of SMFL. Hence, the board comprised of members assigned by the association and representatives of the National Board of Health. It was only after years of work that the National Board of Health took responsibility of the board of competence.

When the number of hospital physicists increased, a separate division to look after their interests and develop the field was established within SMFL. The hospital physicists had a prominent role in the association: they had representatives in the board and even a chairman. Later they advanced their field through a separate association, the Finnish Association of Hospital Physicists, since they had cooperated with certain groups (e.g. physicians and hospital chemists) in the health care sector.

In the 1970’s the number of people with higher education increased, as did the number of potential members for SMFL. Public administration and municipalities hired more and more people with academic degrees and special expertise. Research and expert organisations such as the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT), the institute of radiation physics, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, among others, provided many mathematicians, physicists, and computer professionals with a job to suit their education.

A relatively even number of SMFL members were employed by the state, different municipalities, institutions and private employers. The largest member groups were the ones that took positions in education, hospitals, insurance and certain expert organisations. This could be clearly seen within the association as corresponding divisions were established (education, hospital physics, radiation, and information technology).

When Finland made the socially significant transition to nuclear power, more experts of the field began to be recruited in the institute of radiation physics. As a result the institute grew and eventually changed its name to the Institute of Radiation Protection (STL). The need for applications of nuclear and radiation physics escalated, and with it the demand for physicists in various businesses and areas of industry. Radiation physicists were active within their own division, but they also had an important role in the board of SMFL during the 1970’s and 80’s. Members of the association were involved as trustees in, for instance, the local labour market activities of the Institute of Radiation Protection.

Private Sector Becomes Interested in Science - Importance of Information Technology Increases

In the 1970’s many mathematicians and physicists used information technology in their work. Much education in the field had, however, not been available, and the little there was, was not always of good quality. Moreover, the tools of the day were by modern standards rather inefficient. Some may remember programming and punch cards from that time. The number of those with solely computer related jobs began to grow. Within the SMFL membership a clearly distinctive group of IT professionals began to separate themselves from those who only used computers as an aid in their work. Applying mathematics and physics in various tasks became significantly more efficient as information technology began to provide practical tools and solutions.

An increasing number of members took positions from private employers and became researchers, product designers, expert advisors, and marketers. From time to time there was a shortage of competent physicists in the industry. Now they were no longer limited to the traditional roles of either a researcher or expert, but could rise in rank and become the managers of a company. Both the industry and finance employed mathematicians as well. They could be divided into two distinctive groups: researchers and administrative personnel. In the field of industry there was a third group as well, i.e. mathematically oriented IT professionals.

Towards the end of the decade some of those who had received a degree majoring in, for instance, mathematics had trouble finding jobs. SMFL carried out a survey among its membership, and the feedback they received clearly stated that what the members felt they most needed and used was computer skills and knowledge. The results of the survey also indicated that due to the IT boom, job prospects for mathematicians were growing beyond the traditional limitations.

The association made a suggestion to the labour officials and so, in the 1980’s, they organised IT courses for those with a degree in natural science. The expertise of SMFL was put to use when planning the content of the courses. Roughly 150 graduates received the computer skills and knowledge they needed through these courses. With the courses the association helped the level of education meet the demands of working life.

Strength in Cooperation

When SMFL was a nation-wide member association of Akava, the Confederation of Unions, its membership was heterogenic and scattered throughout the labour market. The position of the association in Akava changed when large associations for engineers and teachers joined the confederation. The memberships of the organisations in Akava varied from a few dozen to tens of thousands. Regardless of the size, the tasks the organisations faced were basically the same and required plenty of effort and resources. Potential members of SMFL organised themselves into different associations according to their position or line of work.

The association strived to meet the growing demands of its membership and Akava by developing cooperation between the small associations in the confederation. Thus, in the mid 70’s, a group of natural science associations was formed within Akava. It included the Finnish Association of Geophysics, the Finnish Association of Geologists, the Finnish Union of Chemists, the Finnish Association of Mathematicians and Physicists and the water and fishing management association Vesi- ja Kalatalousmiehet. The cooperation of these associations included sharing staff and office space in the Akavatalo building which had just been completed in 1976. Additionally, the group formed an electoral alliance when seats in Akava were determined. The natural science group had representatives in the board of Akava and certain commitees. In some workplaces, where members of these associations worked, results were reached through the use of trustees. This way the associations were able to be in direct contact with their members protect their interests. For instance, under Akava the first collective agreement in the Institute of Radiation Protection was signed in 1976.

The situation of members employed by private businesses improved after Akava made an agreement with the Central Association of Finnish Industry (Suomen teollisuuden keskusliitto) concerning the interests of Akava members. Finally an organised way of protecting the interests of those working in the private sector was available. At the same time collaboration was started with the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers (KAL), the Union of Professional Engineers in Finland, and the Finnish Association of Economists. This way, members of the association could join an unemployment fund, which was important for many people during the depression.

The cooperation of the natural science group expanded in the early 1980’s. An agreement was made with the Finnish Association of Academic Agronomists, the Finnish Veterinary Association, and the Society of Finnish Professional Foresters. The aim was to divide responsibility of the duties within Akava and make them easier to accomplish. This form of cooperation was never realized, however.

In the 1980’s the membership of SMFL grew and there were more and more interests to protect. Due to this the association hired a part time office secretary and the executive manager of the Finnish Union of Chemists. This was not enough, however, since there was an increasing demand for the effort of the trustees. In addition, more members from the private sector joined the association. They were mainly people who worked in companies that specialised in the ever more prominent field of information technology. This, however, meant that the membership became even more scattered.

SMFL Begins Cooperation with the Finnish Association of Graduate Engineers, TEK

In 1983 SMFL began negotiations with the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers to build the collaboration on a more solid and lasting basis, thus ensuring that the available resources could be used efficiently and the interests of all members could be protected. The negotiations came to a conclusion rather quickly: members of SMFL joined the Finnish Technical Society (STS) as individual members, and the association continued to function as a non-profit trade union contributing to education and social issues. The members could decide for themselves whether they preferred the new arrangement by individually joining the union formed by the Finnish Technical Society and the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers. Only a few percent of the members had a desire to change things and join other organisations. On the other hand, the new arrangement allowed the membership of SMFL to grow from 400 to 2000.

The foundation for the collaboration and the mutual benefits to be gained through it were, and are, obvious. Members of the association worked in similar positions and for the same employers in the public and private sectors as the people who had a degree in engineering. Many had had similar education in mathematics, physics and computer science, which formed the basis of their expertise. Promoting the status and importance of these subjects also remains a common interest. The desire to develop tools for the information society created a strong bond between the cooperating parties.

In an additional meeting held on December 15^th 1983 the Finnish Association for Mathematicians and Physicians decided to recommend to its members that they organise themselves within Akava through the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers. Thus, the association left Akava at the beginning of 1984.

The official statement of the 1983 meeting declared that: "Through this measure SMFL wishes to make Akava more unified, strengthen it, develop its internal structure, and make protecting the interests of its members more efficient. The association feels that this is a necessary phase in the general effort to unify Akava.

This decision is SMFL’s answer to the discussion that has been going on about expanding negotiation rights. As SMFL sees it, this measure will strengthen the negotiation rights of its members. The association must remind, however, that within its own sector and throughout the labour market there are plenty of people who have no negotiation rights at all – the unemployed. Although the association’s decision aims at protecting the interests of the employed, it will not forget the problems of the unemployed or of those who have jobs that do not match their education."

The basis of joining the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers was that the SMFL would continue to operate as before regarding professional interests and ideology. The regulations that were drawn up in 1961 stated that the purpose of the association is to function as a link between mathematicians and physicians who work in different fields, promote their professional development, monitor on their status in society, protect their social interests and advance mathematical and physical education and thought in Finland.

The regulations were last revised in 1999. The basic aims remained the same, but the regulations were updated to take into consideration the situation of computer scientists. Moreover, the name of the association was changed to the Finnish Association for Mathematicians, Physicians and Computer Scientists. The regulations also stated that most of the association’s membership works with computers.

Members of SMFL have been a part of the board, committees and other sections of the Finnish Association of Architects and Engineers and later in the 1990’s the Finnish Association of Graduate Engineers.

SMFL Distinguishes Itself as a Developer of Professionalism

One of the key functions of the association during the 1980’s and 90’s has been to organise courses that improve its members’ aptitude to meet the demands of working life. Among the most popular courses have been English courses, in which a native speaker of English leads discussions about subjects related to the attendees’ area of expertise.

Members of SMFL also took part in public speaking courses organised by the Finnish commercial television MTV. The courses were held several times over many years. These courses allowed dozens of SMFL members to practice the ever more important skill of speaking and performing in front of an audience. IT courses held in Tallinn, Estonia, have also been popular. At times SMFL has cooperated with universities and other institutes of higher education and tailored courses about the latest achievements of science for SMFL members and mature students.

In addition, the general meetings of the association have always included a training portion. It has normally entailed a presentation of a topical issue that interests the members. The subjects have naturally varied greatly. We have had presentations about globally known Finnish mathematicians, the Big Bang, astronomy, applications of mathematics, physics and IT in different fields, and even stress and work fatigue management.

SMFL has had its own seminar at the annual physics event organised by the Finnish Physical Society. The topic of the seminar has been different every year. In 1997 it was "European Research and Finland".

SMFL has strived to support and inspire students interested in mathematics, physics and computer science by donating the prizes for the competitions the Association for Teachers of Mathematical Subjects (MAOL) has organised for secondary school students.

In the 1980’s when Finland received notification that it would host the International Physics Olympics in 1992, SMFL decided to encourage Finnish youths to take part in and prepare thoroughly for the competition. Since then SMFL has handed out the first prize for the physics competition for Finnish secondary school students. Later the association began to hand out an honorary prize for the winner of the mathematics competition for secondary school students. The Association for Teachers of Mathematical Subjects organises a competition in computer science as well, and a couple of years ago SMFL decided to donate the grand prize for it.

During year 1999 SMFL started the tradition of handing out a prize for the best master’s thesis of the year. It is a scholarship given for the best master’s thesis in mathematics, physics or computer science. The purpose of the prize is to encourage students to achieve results in their studies, focus attention on mathematical subjects, and increase the prestige of these subjects in society. The first best master’s thesis prize was handed out in the spring of 2000. It was received by Seppo Taivalkoski for his thesis "Katetriprofiilin 3-D rekonstruointi 2-D magneettikuvista" (Reconstructing a 3D Catheter Profile from 2D MRI Images). The reason was that the thesis skillfully joins theoretical and empirical research. The work attempts to solve a practical problem in medicine and has thus obvious social significance.

Publications and Research

This publication describes in its own way the people of our expertise in different professions, and how the fields of science we represent (mathematics, physics and computer science) are applied in working life. The publications of SMFL give some insight to who we are. Today publications are released regularly and they have long traditions. More information on that can be found in the article by Martti Annanmäki and Päivi Ala-Poikela.

Matti Suomela
Ph.D., Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority
Retired
Chairman of SMFL from 1973 to 1976

Jaakko Ojala
M.A., Special Advisor
Finland’s Environmental Administration
Chairman of SMFL from 1980 to 1983

Lasse Paajanen
M.A., Principal
Suutarila Secondary School
Chairman of SMFL from 1984 to 1992

In this text the names of different organisations and associations appear as they were at the time (trans.note: and have been translated based on that). Several of these names have changed. That is in part a testament to the historical nature of this overview.