Anssi Salonen

Anssi Salonen is a University Lecturer at the School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland. His work focuses on STEM/STEAM education, technology and science pedagogy, and career-related instruction.

• Research Interests: Interdisciplinary teaching methods, career awareness in science education, entrepreneurship, school-community partnerships, and teacher development.
• Projects: Part of the MultiCO research group; involved in projects like EduEntr (2015-2018), Teacher Academy (2023-2026), and studies on STEAM approaches in teacher and primary education.
• Publications: His recent work explores AI education via robotics, technical craft as engineering education, career integration in science lessons, and context-based science teaching using life-cycle assessment (LCA).

His research emphasizes the intersection of technology, sustainability, and vocational relevance. He investigates how LCA and inquiry-based learning can promote environmental awareness and systems thinking. While students in his studies recognize societal relevance, vocational relevance remains a challenge, as career aspirations are often predetermined. He advocates for multidisciplinary LCA projects to connect science with ethics, economics, and global trade.

Salonen's work has been funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme. He collaborates with researchers like Tuula Keinonen and Sakari Tolppanen, contributing to journals such as International Journal of Technology and Design Education and Chemistry Education Research and Practice.