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Selcen Erten JohanssonView profile

Researcher

• Corpus Linguistics
• Media Discourse Analysis
• Turkish Web Registers
• +3 more

Selcen Erten Johansson is a Doctoral Researcher in Digital Language Studies at the University of Turku, focusing on corpus linguistics and media discourse analysis. Her research examines Turkish web registers in the context of political events, such as Finland's NATO membership process in Turkish media. Supported by the Eino Jutikkala Fund (2024–2026), her work bridges computational methods with sociolinguistic inquiry. She holds a Master's in Linguistics from Mersin University (2019) and has been a Fulbright scholar in the U.S. Her teaching spans corpus linguistics, language technology, and Turkish as a foreign language at institutions including Turun Suomenkielinen Työväenopisto and Toros University. Education: PhD Candidate in Digital Linguistics, University of Turku (2021–present) Master's in Linguistics, Mersin University, Türkiye (2019) Fulbright Scholarship, Michigan State University (2015–2016) Research Interests: Selcen explores language variation in digital contexts, particularly Turkish web-based discourse. She combines corpus linguistics with computational tools to analyze political media narratives and multilingual web registers. Her work emphasizes the intersection of technology and sociolinguistics, including projects like TurCORE and collaborations with the TurkuNLP research team. She also investigates pedagogical approaches for teaching Turkish and Finnish as foreign languages. Grants & Support: Eino Jutikkala Fund Grant (2024–2026), Finnish Academy of Science and Letters Teaching & Outreach: She has taught courses on corpus linguistics, automatic text processing, and Turkish language instruction across multiple institutions. Her teaching philosophy integrates digital tools with traditional language pedagogy. Labs & Teams: Active member of the TurkuNLP research team, focusing on NLP applications in digital humanities and multilingual corpora analysis.

Saana SvärdView profile

Professor

• Assyriology
• Ancient Near Eastern Studies
• Gender Studies
• +5 more

Saana Svärd is a Professor at the University of Helsinki in the Faculty of Arts, Department of Languages. She specializes in ancient Near Eastern studies with a focus on gender analysis, digital humanities, and emotional history in Mesopotamian texts. Academic Affiliation: University of Helsinki (Faculty of Arts, Department of Languages) Research Themes: Neo-Assyrian Empire, gender studies, digital approaches to cuneiform texts Her recent research explores emotional semantics through computational methods and bodily mapping in ancient texts. She directs the Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires (2018-2025) and leads the 'Embodied Emotions' project (2022-2026). Notable awards include the 2021 Helsinki Science Award and 2023 honorary mention for co-editing Muinaisen Lähi-idän imperiumit . Key projects include: Digital Humanities approaches to Akkadian texts Quantitative analysis of Neo-Assyrian religious affiliation Gender roles in ancient Mesopotamian societies

Kirsi SyynimaaView profile

Researcher

• Educational Sciences
• Educational Technology
• Collaborative Learning
• +3 more

Kirsi Syynimaa is a Researcher in the Research and Innovation Services at the University of Jyväskylä. Her work bridges educational sciences and digital technology, focusing on collaborative learning environments. University: University of Jyväskylä Department: Research and Innovation Services Her research explores enabling and hindering factors in simulation-based learning game-based education virtual teamwork collaborative writing through interdisciplinary projects with colleagues like Kirsi Lainema and Raija Hämäläinen. Recent publications analyze digital affordances, gamification, and instructional design in higher education. She advocates for open-access dissemination and technology-enhanced learning frameworks.

Elina FonsenView profile

Associate Professor

• Educational Leadership
• Early Childhood Education
• Pedagogical Leadership
• +3 more

Elina Fonsen is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. She holds a Docent title from the University of Eastern Finland (2019) and has held previous roles including University Lecturer and Deputy Director at the University of Helsinki. Her research focuses on educational leadership, particularly in early childhood education, examining leadership discourses, professional development, and organizational structures. Key projects include the 'Vepo johtajuus 2035' leadership development initiative and international collaborations like the South Africa rural leadership training project. Dr. Fonsen's work emphasizes pedagogical leadership's role in fostering high-quality education, with a focus on cultural frames, pandemic impacts, and professional bureaucracies. She leads research groups such as FinEdLead and the International Leadership Research Forum (ILRF-ECE), and contributes to educational policy through projects like the EDUCA flagship. Her publications explore leadership competencies, diversity management, and crisis responses in educational settings. Research Groups: FinEdLead, TEB (Finland-Hong Kong collaboration), ILRF-ECE Projects: KASVU (ESF-funded leadership network), 'Tensions between Inclusion and Belonging' study, Global Leadership Case Studies Her contributions span over 100 publications, with recent focus on leadership during crises, cultural artifact analysis, and comparative studies between Finland, South Africa, and other nations. She actively engages in educational leadership training and policy development at national and international levels.

Aleksi SahalaView profile

Researcher

• Languages
• History and Archaeology
• Computer and Information Sciences
• +2 more

Aleksi Sahala is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki's Department of Digital Humanities, affiliated with the Language Technology Centre of Excellence in Ancient Near Eastern Empires (ANEE). His work bridges computational linguistics and ancient language studies, focusing on Akkadian, Sumerian, and Egyptian scripts. Research Interests: Developing neural models for lemmatization and POS-tagging of ancient languages Analyzing phonotactic patterns in Sumerian Exploring semantic domains in Akkadian texts Digital humanities approaches to cuneiform corpora Recent research outputs demonstrate technical expertise in natural language processing applied to historical scripts, including contributions to workshops on machine learning for ancient languages and computational analysis of Neo-Assyrian texts.

• System-on-Chip (SoC) Design
• FPGA-Based High-Level Synthesis
• Real-Time Embedded Systems
• +5 more

Timo Hämäläinen is a Professor of Computer Engineering at Tampere University, leading the Unit of Computing Sciences within the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences. He is a core member of the System-on-Chip research group and the Computer Engineering Team, actively contributing to the System-on-Chip Hub initiative. His research focuses on System-on-Chip (SoC) design methodologies, FPGA-based high-level synthesis, real-time embedded systems, and open-source hardware-software co-design frameworks like RISC-V and HEVC encoding. He has pioneered work on agile SoC development processes and validation techniques for large-scale hardware systems. Key research areas include: High-level synthesis (HLS) optimization for FPGAs Real-time processor architectures and context-switching latency reduction Formal verification of IP-XACT-compliant SoC designs Resilient RISC-V MPSoC implementations Hardware-accelerated algorithms for signal processing and networking His recent publications (2023-2025) emphasize agile SoC development frameworks, hardware-software co-design for real-time systems, and validation methodologies for large-scale embedded systems. He has contributed to open-source projects like Kvazaar HEVC encoder and the Kactus2 IP-XACT toolchain. Academic advising includes students such as Santéri Mäki-Äijö (formal verification), Arto Oinonen (RISC-V tooling), and Sakari Lahti (processor modeling). His work integrates academic research with industrial collaboration through frameworks like the Fault-slip-Through quality assessment methodology.

• Immersive Virtual Reality
• Occupational Safety Training
• Pedagogical Models
• +3 more

Anu Lehikko is a Researcher and Doctoral Researcher affiliated with the Faculty of Education at the University of Lapland. Her work focuses on immersive virtual reality (IVR) in education, particularly in occupational safety training and pedagogical model development. She leads the SLIVeR (Safety Learning in Immersive Virtual Reality) project funded by the University of Lapland and Työsuojelurahasto, exploring IVR applications for workplace safety. Her research interests include self-efficacy in virtual environments, VR/XR pedagogy, and the integration of group discussions with immersive practices. Key projects involve contextualizing safety training through design-based research and evaluating interactivity effects on learner outcomes. Lehikko has contributed to over 19 research outputs, including peer-reviewed articles and conference presentations, with a focus on mixed-methods approaches. Lehikko actively engages in academic activities such as conference presentations, journal reviewing (e.g., Journal of Computer Assisted Learning ), and translation work. She has been involved in media outreach discussing IVR in education and post-pandemic educational equity challenges in Nordic countries.

Maija HirvonenView profile

Professor

• Accessibility Studies
• Translation Studies
• Multimodal Communication
• +4 more

Maija Hirvonen is a Full Professor in German language, culture, and translation at Tampere University's Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences. She leads BA, MA, and PhD programs in German linguistics and translation studies. As director of Langnet (Network of Doctoral Programmes in Language Sciences in Finland), she oversees multidisciplinary research initiatives. She co-leads the Tampere Accessibility Unit and the Multimodality in Translation and Interpreting research group, while also serving on the steering board of Plural (Research Centre for Languages and Cultures). Her research focuses on accessibility (especially audio-description), multimodal translation, distributed cognition, and human-centered machine learning. Notable grants include the Horizon Europe-funded NewWorkTech (2024-2027) and the Jane and Aatos Erkko Foundation's Guided Audio Captioning project (2022-2023). Hirvonen has supervised numerous MA and PhD students in German linguistics and translation studies. She actively contributes to academic governance via editorial roles (e.g., SKY Journal of Linguistics) and co-edits key publications like the 57th Linguistic Colloquium proceedings. Her work bridges theoretical research with practical applications in inclusive communication technologies.

• Japanese Language Education
• Critical Pedagogy
• Cultural Studies
• +4 more

Rie Fuse is a University Lecturer in Japanese Studies at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Languages. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and specializes in Japanese Language Education, Critical Pedagogy, and Media Literacy. Her research explores intersections of language education, cultural representation, and digital humanities. She actively participates in academic organizations like the European Association of Japanese Resource Specialists (EAJRS) and the Finnish Oriental Society. Education: PhD in Cultural Studies, Pedagogical certifications including University Pedagogy and Teaching through English. Teaching: Japanese language courses at BA and MA levels, project-based learning, and job training programs. Grants: Recipient of the Kone Foundation Research Grant (2014-2017), Japan Foundation Project Grant (2023), and CIMO Scholarship (2011-2012). Her research interests include Japanese language pedagogy, cultural studies, and media literacy. Recent work focuses on food culture in Japanese literature, telecollaboration in language education, and health communication during the pandemic. She has organized numerous seminars and conferences, including the 'Japanese Stories about Food' project and Tandem Language Learning initiatives. Awards: European Association for Japanese Studies Travel Grant (2014), Finnish Government Scholarship (CIMO). Professional Roles: Board Member of EAJRS, Suomen Itämaisen Seura, and Japanin kielen ja kulttuurin opettajain yhdistys (JOY). Fuse collaborates with institutions like the University of Granada and Niigata University. Her current projects include exploring interdisciplinary Japanese studies and sustainability science through the Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies.

Jan NålsView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Storytelling
• Empathy in Media
• Intercultural Communication
• +3 more

Jan Nåls is a Senior Lecturer in Film and Media at Arcada University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland. His research focuses on storytelling, narrative empathy, and intercultural communication across media platforms. He holds a PhD from the University of Helsinki (2019), where his dissertation explored empathy in intercultural film narratives. Nåls is also an active scriptwriter, author, and theatre practitioner, specializing in themes of displacement, identity, and power. He previously coordinated the North South South exchange program (2006–2016), fostering intercultural collaboration between African and Finnish institutions. Education: PhD in Film Studies, University of Helsinki (2019) Master’s thesis on documentary filmmaking and cultural representation Research Interests: Nåls investigates how empathy functions in media narratives, particularly in documentary and intercultural contexts. His work bridges theoretical frameworks in communication studies with practical storytelling techniques, emphasizing ethical engagement and audience connection. He explores fragmented spectatorship, spatial narratives, and the role of empathy in bridging cultural divides. Publications & Creative Work: Nåls has authored academic articles on empathy in documentary, published books on diverse topics like sports betting and modern theatre, and written scripts for film and theatre. His creative practice often intersects with academic research, creating works that challenge cultural and spatial boundaries. Grants & Collaborations: His administrative leadership in the North South South program highlights his commitment to fostering educational and cultural exchange. No specific grants are listed, but his work reflects sustained engagement with intercultural projects.

Olli KuparinenView profile

Researcher

• Dialectology
• Computational Linguistics
• Phonetics
• +3 more

Olli Kuparinen is a Researcher at the University of Tampere , focusing on dialectology , computational linguistics , and speech recognition technology . His current Academy of Finland-funded project (2025-2030) aims to develop phoneme-based models that convert dialectal speech into text without erasing regional variations. Academic Path : Began with Finnish language studies at the University of Tampere, followed by teaching Finnish language/literature, then doctoral research (Kone Foundation-funded) on Helsinki spoken language changes (1970s-2010s). Previous Work : Spent 2 years at the University of Helsinki's Language Technology Department studying machine translation models. Key Contributions : Created datasets like Murreviikko (dialectal tweets), advanced phoneme-character mapping for Finno-Ugric scripts, and explored historical changes in Helsinki's spoken Finnish (e.g., hd-cluster diffusion ). Research Interests : Bridging traditional dialect studies with AI/ML, preserving linguistic diversity in speech recognition, and analyzing long-term language variation through computational models. Recent Publications focus on automatic dialect transcription, normalization techniques, corpus-based dialectometry, and social media as a source for dialectal analysis. His work emphasizes inclusivity in AI by addressing underrepresented dialects. Scientific Awards : No specific awards listed beyond Academy of Finland funding. Future Directions include improving equity in speech tech by incorporating Finno-Ugric IPA translations, expanding to Norwegian dialects, and advocating for linguist involvement in AI model development.

• Media Education
• Immersive Virtual Reality
• Educational Environment
• +7 more

Heli Ruokamo is a Professor in the Faculty of Education and Director of the Media Education Hub at the University of Lapland. She holds a Ph.D. in Education and is a Docent. Her research focuses on media education, immersive virtual reality (VR), pedagogical models, and safety training. She has led projects like SLIVeR (Safety Learning in Immersive Virtual Reality) and contributed to studies on game-based learning, AI-supported simulations, and healthcare education. Roles: Professor, Media Education Hub Director Education: Ph.D. (Education), Docent Research Interests: Media education, VR applications in training, pedagogical models, healthcare simulations, and educational technology Awards: Best Paper awards (MEC 2017, Finland), High Quality Publication Award, and recognition for work on vocational education Her work emphasizes innovative learning environments, including virtual reality and simulation-based approaches. Projects like SLIVeR and Virtual Production Studio Technologies highlight her focus on safety training and immersive technologies. She has also explored AI integration in education and the design of collaborative learning spaces. Recent articles analyze VR safety training frameworks, game-based learning efficacy, and emotional engagement in simulations. Her contributions span interdisciplinary collaborations, with active roles in academic networks and international conferences.

• Density Functional Theory
• Materials Science
• Thin Films
• +3 more

Mario Mäkinen is a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Chemical Engineering and the Department of Chemistry and Materials Science , specializing in computational chemistry and materials science. His work focuses on advanced thin film growth mechanisms using Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations, particularly in Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Molecular Layer Deposition (MLD) technologies. Research Interests : Computational screening of thin film materials, DFT-based reaction pathway modeling, and precursor chemistry optimization. Recent Research Trends : His 2023–2025 publications highlight applications of DFT in analyzing ALD/MLD hybrid thin films, water dissociation on transition metal surfaces, and structural data for zincone thin film growth. Subfields include atomic-scale modeling, surface reactions, and materials synthesis. Media Engagement : Featured in 2024 for media coverage on computational screening in thin film discovery and Python-scripted research innovations. Scientific Contributions : Released a dataset on zincone thin film growth structures via Harvard Dataverse. Collaborations span international research networks in material science and DFT studies.

Cecilia ÄijäläView profile

Researcher

• Physical Sciences
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Atmospheric Sciences
• +3 more

Cecilia Äijälä is a Researcher at the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) , affiliated with the Doctoral Programme in Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Helsinki. Her work focuses on polar oceanography, climate modeling, and sea ice dynamics. Her research spans Antarctic and Arctic systems, utilizing regional models like MetROMS and CICE to analyze ocean-atmosphere interactions, sea ice drift, and Lagrangian transport pathways. She has contributed to datasets and model evaluations critical for understanding polar climate processes. Key Collaborations: Finnish Meteorological Institute (Arctic Space Centre), European Commission (PolarRES project). Methodologies: Climate modeling, Lagrangian pathway analysis, albedo validation, coupled atmosphere-ocean simulations. Recent Work: 2025 studies on Antarctic ocean models, 2024 contributions to sea ice albedo analysis, and 2023-2022 presentations on ocean connectivity and Arctic ice dynamics. Her projects, including PolarRES, aim to improve Earth system models for polar regions. She actively engages in scientific discourse through oral presentations and invited talks.

Ville-Pekka KääriäinenView profile

Researcher

• Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR)
• Digital Humanities
• Historical Linguistics
• +6 more

Ville-Pekka Kääriäinen is a PhD researcher at the University of Helsinki, focusing on the progression of state formation in the Iisalmi parish (Upper Savo) from 1639–1699. He developed a publicly accessible HTR model for 17th-century Swedish 'New Gothic' script, named 'Swedish 17th Century (Savo, Eastern Finland)', which is now available in Transkribus. His work utilizes 17th-century court records from Finnish and Swedish National Archives, with applications in network and spatial analysis of land disputes. Research Interests: His projects bridge historical research, digital methods (e.g., QGIS for mapping), and AI-driven transcription technologies. He emphasizes the challenges of training data consistency, image quality, and proper name recognition in HTR models. Grants & Affiliations: Funded by the OLVI Foundation, Finnish Cultural Foundation, Emil Aaltonen Foundation, and the Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland (SLS Foundation). He is a board member of the 'Network for Early Modern (ca 16th–17th century) Research in Finland' (Uuden ajan alun tutkimuksen verkosto ry) and collaborates with National Archives of Finland on HTR development.