Lapland University says Törhönen can continue his doctoral thesis

Filmmaker Lauri Törhönen can continue work on his doctoral thesis despite its rejection, Lapland University says, according to Yle. The university says his right to pursue doctoral studies remains in force and the thesis can be returned for supervision.

Törhönen told Yle he intends to finish the thesis and make the necessary revisions. Dean Satu Miettinen of the university’s Faculty of Art and Design said she could not comment on an individual student’s case, but explained that doctoral study rights are ongoing.

Unlike a master’s thesis, a doctoral thesis has no set deadline. A student can work on it for years before it is completed and proceeds to a public defence, Miettinen said.

Törhönen’s former supervisors, Mauri Ylä-Kotola and Kaarina Määttä, are no longer available: Ylä-Kotola has been dismissed from the university and Määttä has retired. Miettinen said the university aims to treat students equally and find new supervisors. Törhönen must first register as present at the university. He said he has not yet done so but intends to.