The people behind the academy

From Karungi in Tornedalen and a great sauna enthusiast — with four saunas on his farm.

What Svante doesn't know about saunas isn't worth knowing. Born and raised in Kukkola, in the heart of Tornedalen.

The academy's own doctor. MD PhD, senior physician and professor.

Lives in the Tornedalen village of Neistenkangas after forty-five years in Luleå. Grew up with shared Friday sauna baths with the family. The best bath is after a day of skiing in the mountains among good friends.

Grew up with Saturday saunas in Leipijärvi at his grandparents' — especially once he was allowed to bathe with the big boys.

Producer and presenter at P4 Norrbotten, Swedish Radio. Lives in Boden with roots in Tornedalen. The sauna has always been part of her life.

Naprapath and sauna product developer.

Officer and HR manager at the Artillery Regiment in Boden, with roots in Tornedalen. An electric sauna at home in Boden; wood-fired at the cottage in Kukkola.

Has worked at Ikea and in the hotel industry, including as hotel manager of Clarion Hotel Sense in Luleå. Lives in Haparanda.

Grew up in Korpikylä by the Torne River, a few miles north of Haparanda. Member of the Swedish Parliament.

Historian researching sauna bathing in earlier times, especially 1600–1800. Studies the sauna's role in Swedish and Finnish society.

Works to spread knowledge of the sauna's role in urban development and its importance for public health.

PhD in economic history at Karlstad University. Researches the reintroduction of sauna bathing in Sweden during the hygiene revolution (c. 1850–1950).