Laura Hellsten

Laura Hellsten is a Researcher in Theology and Study of Religions at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, affiliated with the Inez and Julius Polin Institute For Theological Research. She holds a Doctorate in Systematic Theology from Åbo Akademi, with earlier degrees in Education (University of Oulu) and Theology. Her work bridges theology, medieval studies, and transdisciplinary collaboration, particularly focusing on art-science intersections and Indigenous epistemologies.

Research interests include medieval dance practices, the ethics of interdisciplinary collaboration, and the role of the arts in theological inquiry. Notable projects include the Praxis of Social Imaginaries (Nordic Summer University) and the BACE Centre of Excellence. She has been awarded the Donner Institute Research Prize (2021) and leads international collaborations involving artists, scientists, and Indigenous scholars.

Her publications span 50 works exploring topics like sacred dance historiography, bioelectronic ethics, and feminist theology. Current projects integrate transdisciplinary methodologies with the Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing education and ocean sciences. Hellsten resides in the Åland Islands, actively contributing to academic and artistic communities through workshops, symposia, and public lectures.