Ulla LiukkunenView profile
Professor
Ulla Liukkunen is a Professor of Labour Law and Private International Law at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Law. She also serves as a Docent at the University of Helsinki and is affiliated with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). Professor Liukkunen has held significant leadership roles including Director of the Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture until 2022 and has been actively involved in numerous research projects funded by the Finnish Academy and other organizations. Professor Liukkunen's primary research interests focus on Labour Law, Private International Law, Comparative Law, Transnational Law, and Sustainability Law. Her work particularly examines the intersection of labour rights with international legal frameworks, with special attention to Chinese labour law and Nordic perspectives. She has made significant contributions to understanding collective bargaining systems, decent work standards, and the role of the International Labour Organization in global governance. Analysis of Professor Liukkunen's recent publications reveals a consistent focus on transnational labour governance, private international law applications to labour issues, and comparative analyses of labour law systems. Her work increasingly addresses contemporary challenges such as platform work, global value chains, and sustainability dimensions of labour regulation. There is a notable emphasis on bridging theoretical frameworks with practical policy implications, particularly in European and Chinese contexts. Professor Liukkunen has received significant recognition for her scholarly contributions: Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters (2022) First Class Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2016) Professor Liukkunen has supervised numerous doctoral students and has been involved in significant research projects throughout her career. She has led Finnish Academy-funded research projects on international labour law and comparative labour law, as well as private international law. Her projects include 'Relevant Problems and Perspectives for the Development of International Private Law in Modern Conditions' (2023-2026), 'Employee Participation and Collective Bargaining in the Era of Globalization – Nordic and Chinese Perspectives' (2013-2016), and 'ILO Core Labour Standards Implementation in China: Legal Architecture and Cultural Logic' (2012-2015). Professor Liukkunen is actively involved with the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and has played key roles in establishing the Finnish Center of Chinese Law and Chinese Legal Culture. She has served in numerous advisory capacities including as a member of the Finnish Committee for Confirming the General Applicability of Collective Agreements, the Market Court until 2022, and as Vice Member of the Labour Court. Internationally, she serves as Vice Chair of the Mediation Board of the European Labour Authority and is a member of the European Centre of Expertise in the Field of Labour Law.
