Mika Kautonen has more than 25 years of experience in research. His research interests include nowadays themes of innovation systems, innovation for sustainability and innovation policies and practices. He initiates and conducts such activities that contributes to, besides academic output, practical impacts. Consequently, he and his team collaborate extensively with numerous societal stakeholders. Mika's network extend beyond Europe, including e.g. Asia and Africa.

Mika has approximately one hundred publications. He holds several international academic and professional positions of trust.

Mika organizes every second year (since 2008) an international Ph.D. summer school on innovation and development especially for Ph.D. students of the global south, called Globelics Academy, in association with the international scholarly Globelics Association.