Jonna Alava

Jonna Alava is a Doctoral Researcher in the Doctoral Programme in Political, Societal and Regional Change at the University of Helsinki, focusing on sociology and political science with an emphasis on Russian studies, militarism, and gender dynamics. She obtained her Master of Arts degree on June 30, 2018.

• Education: Master of Arts (2018)
• Current Role: Researcher at Puolustusvoimat (Finnish Defence Forces) since August 1, 2019

Her research explores disciplinary power and resistance in post-war Russia, portrayals of women soldiers, and the intersection of patriotism, militarism, and internal cohesion. She has published four scholarly works from 2021 to 2025, including peer-reviewed articles and conference proceedings.

Recent publications highlight trends in Russian military sociology, post-Soviet political indoctrination, and feminist perspectives on military structures. She maintains an active research profile and collaborates across social sciences and humanities disciplines.