Anna Parpala

Anna Parpala serves as a Senior University Lecturer and docent in university pedagogy at the University of Helsinki's Department of Educational Sciences and Centre for University Pedagogy (HYPE). She holds the position of Supervisor in the Doctoral Program in Cognition, Learning, Teaching and Communication and maintains an active research profile with 77 publications and 10 research projects documented throughout her career.

Dr. Parpala's research focuses on the intricate relationship between learning and teaching processes in higher education, with growing emphasis on pedagogical leadership, quality development, and the wellbeing of academic staff. Her work spans multiple disciplines and contexts through extensive national and international collaborations. She has developed expertise in project leadership, curriculum development, and quality improvement consulting.

Recent publication trends reveal a significant shift toward examining the wellbeing dimensions of academic work, particularly the connection between teaching processes and instructor wellbeing. Her research portfolio demonstrates strong integration of educational psychology principles with practical applications in university settings, with increasing attention to burnout prevention and supportive learning environments.

Dr. Parpala currently leads several major initiatives including the Academy of Finland-funded THEwellbeing project (2022-2026), which investigates the connection between teaching and wellbeing of higher education teachers. She has also spearheaded the development of UniHow, a research-based software tool that utilizes learning analytics to support students, teachers, and academic leaders in improving educational practices.

Her academic service includes supervising PhD candidates (currently Anna Vilhunen), serving as a journal editor, participating in numerous committees, and providing consultation on quality development both nationally and internationally. With 74 documented academic activities, she maintains an active presence in the educational research community through conference presentations, peer reviews, and collaborative projects.