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Mulki Al-Sharmani is a Professor at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and the Department of Cultures (specializing in Middle Eastern Studies). Her research focuses on Islamic feminism, Muslim family law, gender studies, and transnational migrant communities. She examines how religious texts and practices intersect with legal frameworks and social dynamics in contexts like Egypt, Finland, and the Somali diaspora. Her work includes analyzing Islamic legal reform, gender equality in marriage, and the lived experiences of Muslim women. Key publications explore Qur'anic hermeneutics, the role of feminist activism in legal change, and the wellbeing of transnational families. She has contributed to projects like 'Reclaiming Adl and Ihsan in Muslim Marriage' and co-edited volumes on Islamic ethics and family law reform. Research interests: Islamic feminist theory, Middle Eastern legal traditions, transnational family dynamics, and religious praxis. Recent articles highlight themes like Qur'anic ethics of marriage, legal pluralism in Finland, and the political dimensions of Egyptian family law reform. Active in international conferences, including presentations at SOAS University of London, American University in Cairo, and panels on Islamic law and gender at venues like MESA and EASR. Involved in interdisciplinary initiatives such as the Africa Research Forum and Musawah's global network for equality in Muslim family laws.

• Islamic Feminism
• Muslim Family Law
• Gender Studies
• +4 more

Timo Kaartinen serves as Professor of Social and Cultural Anthropology and Vice Dean for Research and Doctoral Education at the University of Helsinki 's Faculty of Political Science . Since 1992, he has conducted extensive research in Southeast Asia with a focus on Indonesia, exploring communicative practices, narratives, and cultural responses to uncertainty. His teaching spans social change in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, covering environmental anthropology, political anthropology, cosmologies, religions, and linguistic anthropology. PhD in Anthropology, University of Chicago (2001) Docent (Adjunct Professor), University of Helsinki (2011) Research interests center on ethical discourse in Indonesian Islamic universities, resource politics in oil palm estates, and linguistic anthropology with emphasis on storytelling, folk poetry, and minority language revitalization. His work combines ethnographic focus on Southeast Asia with theoretical contributions to frontier studies and postcolonial anthropology. Recent publications examine frontier temporalities (2020-2025), Islamic transformations (2019), and oral narrative structures (2017-2013). Key projects include ARCTIC Research Centre (2025-2029), Diversity in Society and Life (DIVSOL) (2025-2030), and Religious Movements in Ethical Life (2019-2023). Grants from the Academy of Finland and University Profiling Funding support these initiatives. Academic activities include keynote speeches at international conferences (e.g., Empowering Local Wisdom 2014, Labor Migration in Asia-Pacific 2013) and editorial roles. He has conducted fieldwork in Indonesia since 1992, focusing on Bandanese cultural heritage and Maluku religious dynamics . His methodological approach combines ethnographic fieldwork with historical document analysis .

• Social and Cultural Anthropology
• Southeast Asia
• Indonesia
• +9 more

Johanna Sumiala is a Professor of Media and Communication Studies at the University of Helsinki’s Faculty of Social Sciences. She holds a Docent title in Communication and leads research initiatives such as the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ) and the Helsinki Research Hub on Religion, Media and Social Change. Her expertise spans media anthropology, media and religion, visual culture, and media history. She has supervised doctoral candidates in Social Sciences and Theology, and her work bridges academic research with public engagement through media appearances and policy consultations. Education: Master of Arts (History of Ideas and Learning), University of Oulu, 1996 Licentiate in Philosophy, University of Jyväskylä, 2000 Doctor of Philosophy (Journalism), University of Jyväskylä, 2001 Docent of Communication, University of Helsinki, 2010 Research Interests: Her work examines digital death rituals, media’s role in religious populism, and the intersection of technology and existential security. Projects include Digital Death: Transforming History, Rituals and Afterlife and Mediatized Religious Populism . Grants & Collaborations: Funded by the Academy of Finland and EU CHANSE consortium, her research explores topics like hybrid media events, digital witnessing, and transnational Islam governance. She collaborates internationally with institutions like the London School of Economics and University of Bath. Labs/Teams: Leads the Helsinki Research Hub on Religion, Media and Social Change, focusing on digital religion’s methodological challenges and societal impacts.

• Media Anthropology
• Media and Religion
• Visual Culture
• +4 more

Joonas Maristo is a University Lecturer at the University of Helsinki , affiliated with the Faculty of Theology and its Study of Religions department. His academic career spans theology, Islamic studies, and Persian literature, with a focus on religious identities, historical narratives, and cross-cultural interactions in the Middle East and Late Antiquity. Academic rank: Lecturer Primary research areas: Islamic theology, Persian poetry, comparative religious studies Maristo’s research output includes 14 publications (2011–2025), with recent books analyzing Hafezin’s poetry (2025) and Sharia law’s evolution (2023). His 15 most recent articles (2011–2025) explore topics like Hadith criticism, Sufi mysticism, and environmental themes in Arabic literature. As an active scholar, he contributes to media discussions on Middle Eastern politics (2025 appearances on Yle news) and participates in international conferences like EABS International Meeting (2017) and Symposia Iranica (2017, 2015). His work bridges academic rigor with public engagement through lectures and festival talks.

• Theology
• Islamic Studies
• Religious Identities
• +3 more

Zeinab Karimi is a Grant-funded Researcher at the Department of Sociology, University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ). Her work focuses on the racialization of Islam, boundaries of citizenship, and affective labor in transnational contexts. Racialization of Islam Citizenship and belonging Religious literacy in education Critical borderlands studies Transnational organizational dynamics Decolonial methodologies Her peer-reviewed articles examine how religious literacy interventions impact social problem-solving in transnational organizations (2025), analyze affective temporalities in border regimes (2024), and critique the racialization of Muslims in 21st-century citizenship debates (2024). Recent work submitted to ACME explores Ta’ārof as a decolonial tool for navigating White ontologies. She received the 2021 Best Article Award from the journal Gender research-Genusforskning. Karimi actively contributes to academic discourse through editorial work for Sociology Compass (2025–) and conference presentations, including talks on Islamic affective practices at the Nordic Feminist Theory Workshop (2025) and analyses of racialization at the International Conference on Borderlands Studies (2024).

• Sociology
• Religious Literacy
• Racialization Studies
• +3 more

Hannu Juusola is a Professor at the Department of Cultures within the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Helsinki. He serves as a supervisor in multiple doctoral programs including Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, Linguistics, and Political, Social and Regional Change. With over 110 publications to his name spanning from 2005 to 2025, Professor Juusola maintains an active research profile with recent projects extending through 2025. His research focuses on Modern Middle Eastern societies and politics, citizenship & ethnicity, identity, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Lebanon, Syria, and the relationship between religion and politics . His scholarly work falls within the scientific fields of Political Science (517) and History and Archaeology (615). Professor Juusola has established himself as a leading expert on Middle Eastern affairs, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as evidenced by his extensive media presence with 441 documented media appearances where he provides expert commentary on current events in the region. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a consistent focus on contemporary Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly the Israeli-Palestinian situation, with increasing media engagement as geopolitical tensions have escalated. His work demonstrates interdisciplinary approaches combining historical analysis, political science, and cultural studies to examine complex identity and conflict issues in the region. The temporal pattern of his publications shows sustained scholarly output with particular intensification around key geopolitical events. Professor Juusola has been actively involved in research supervision, serving as a dissertation supervisor or co-supervisor as indicated in his activities. His current research projects include T-Bone Slim and the Transnational Poetics of the Migrant Left in North America (2022-2025, funded by Kone Foundation) and Multinational Migrants (2023-2024, funded by Nordic Council of Ministers). These projects reflect his expanding research interests beyond the Middle East into transnational migration studies while maintaining his core expertise in Middle Eastern politics. With 79 documented academic activities including conference presentations, public talks, and academic visits, Professor Juusola maintains an active presence in both academic and public discourse. His recent activities include presentations on Alternative Orientalist Perspectives on Palestine and Israel (November 2024) and Orientalism in Finland (April 2024), demonstrating his continued scholarly engagement with critical theoretical frameworks in Middle Eastern studies.

• Middle Eastern societies and politics
• citizenship & ethnicity
• identity
• +6 more

Kaarina Aitamurto is a scholar of religion specializing in Islam and contemporary Paganism in Russia, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Helsinki. She holds a position at the Aleksanteri Institute - Finnish Centre for Russian and East European Studies, focusing on interdisciplinary research blending social sciences and humanities. Her research interests include nationalism, migration, and the governance of religion in Russia, particularly Islam and Slavic Paganism (Rodnoverie). She co-leads projects such as 'Migration, Shadow Economy and Parallel Legal Orders in Russia' and co-edits Aleksanteri Insight . Her work addresses topics like desecularization, religious representation, and the intersection of politics and culture in post-Soviet contexts. Aitamurto has advised doctoral and master's theses, participated in international conferences, and contributed to academic publications. Her recent studies highlight the political alliances within Pagan movements, the social dynamics of Islamic sects in Russia, and the impact of illiberalism on migration. She frequently collaborates with institutions like the University of Bologna and the Free University of Berlin. Labs/Teams: Active in the Aleksanteri Institute, contributing to its research on Eurasia and global migration. Engaged in editorial roles for journals and book series, fostering academic discourse on Russian and East European studies.

• Religion
• Nationalism
• Migration
• +4 more

Hossam Hewidy is a Senior University Lecturer in Urban and Regional Planning at Aalto University's Department of Architecture, where he serves as Head of Major in Architecture for the Master’s Programme and Head of the Minor in Urban and Regional Planning. With dual expertise as an architect and urban planner, he bridges professional practice and academic research in Nordic urban contexts. His educational background includes a DSc, MSc, and BA in Architecture. Research interests span multicultural planning, placemaking, power dynamics in planning, spatial justice, land use and climate change mitigation, planning education, and public libraries as urban hubs. His work critically examines immigrant entrepreneurship, ethnic retail landscapes, and spatial justice through Helsinki case studies. Recent publications (2021-2025) reveal three dominant trends: (1) Analysis of public libraries as social infrastructure across Nordic cities, (2) Investigation of spatial justice in Helsinki planning competitions and immigrant spaces, and (3) Exploration of urban resilience through Finnish regional development frameworks. His scholarship consistently centers marginalized voices in planning processes. Hewidy's scientific recognition includes: Best Diploma Thesis Grant by OSKARI VILAMON RAHASTON (2020) for supervising Heta Seppälä's urban metabolism research Lappset Prize (2018) for supervising award-winning landscape architecture thesis He has secured funding from the Academy of Finland, Finnish Ministry of Environment’s Neighbourhood Renewal Programme, BEMINE consortium, and EU regional instruments. As AESOP Executive Committee member and GPEAN Secretary, he shapes global planning education standards while leading curriculum development for post-pandemic mixed-modality teaching in architecture studios. His departmental leadership extends to evolving the Architecture Major and Urban Planning Minor programs, with current focus on integrating climate resilience into spatial planning education and examining public libraries as critical social infrastructure in urban transformation.

• multicultural planning
• placemaking
• power dynamics in planning
• +4 more

Pekka Lindqvist is a University Lecturer in Exegetics and Jewish Studies at Åbo Akademi University, affiliated with the Faculty of Humanities, Psychology and Theology, Department of Theology and Religious Studies. He serves as Director of Institutum Judaicum Aboense and Chief of Education in the Bachelor’s Program in Theology, demonstrating leadership in both academic administration and Jewish-Christian dialogue. His research centers on Jewish Studies , with a focus on early Judaism , interfaith relations , and the dialogue among Abrahamic faiths . He explores topics such as early Jewish outreach to Gentiles, the reception of biblical figures like Moses, and the historical development of Finnish Oriental Studies in Palestine. His work also addresses modern Jewish perspectives and the legacy of Finnish missionary activity in the Middle East. Lindqvist’s recent publications reflect a strong engagement with biblical exegesis, reception history, and minority theological voices. His scholarly output spans peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and public-facing contributions, indicating a commitment to both academic rigor and public dialogue. He has contributed to journals such as Studia Theologica and Dialogue , and his work intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to peace, justice, and inclusive societies. University Lecturer in Exegetics and Jewish Studies Director, Institutum Judaicum Aboense Chief of Education, Bachelor Program in Theology Active researcher in early Judaism and interfaith dialogue Contributor to Holocaust education and antisemitism research Lindqvist is actively involved in public scholarship, having delivered keynote speeches on Holocaust Memorial Day and participated in discussions on Jewish law in contemporary Finland. He leads and contributes to externally funded research projects, including Nordic antisemitism and conspiracy thinking and From Awareness to Action: Educating Finland's Future Generations on the Holocaust . His academic service includes curatorial and photographic work for institutional memory projects, reflecting a multidisciplinary approach to religious studies. While no formal list of advisees is provided, his leadership roles suggest significant mentorship and educational impact.

• Jewish Studies
• Early Judaism
• Interfaith Relations
• +9 more

Alireza Jaribion is a Visiting Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management at Aalto University. His research focuses on digital technologies in operations management, including Digital Twin applications, IoT integration, and additive manufacturing. He holds a PhD in Production Economics (Tekn. toht., tuotantotalous) from Aalto University (2025) and a Master's in Engineering and Technology from Islamic Azad University Dubai (2015). Key research interests include leveraging emerging technologies like NFTs for IPR protection in manufacturing, analyzing mega hackathons for innovation mechanisms, and exploring digital twins for safety and energy management. His work addresses sustainable supply chains, crisis logistics during pandemics, and IoT-enabled smart environments such as saunas and older homes. Notable contributions include case studies on hydrogen safety systems, bio-based packaging impacts, and energy management in smart buildings. He has presented at international conferences on topics ranging from bio-plastics supply chains to crowdsourcing in tech events. Research collaborations span academic and industry partners, with a focus on芬兰 institutions and international networks. Media coverage includes discussions on hackathon innovation mechanisms featured in technology publications.

• Digital Twin
• Internet of Things
• 3D Printing
• +4 more

Teemu Taira is a Senior University Lecturer in the Study of Religions at the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki, and serves as Supervisor for the Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies. He also holds the position of Docent (Adjunct Professor) at the Department of Study of Religion, University of Turku since 2010. His academic work spans over twenty years with a focus on religion in media, atheism/ secularism/nonreligion, and discursive study of the 'religion' category. Taira's research interests center on public discourses on religion, atheism and nonreligion, and religion-media interactions. His work examines how religion is represented and discussed in various media contexts, with particular attention to nonreligious identities and atheistic perspectives. He has conducted longitudinal studies on religion in Finnish media and explored the normalization of nonreligious identity in Finland, contributing significantly to the understanding of secularization patterns in Nordic contexts. His research often employs discourse analysis to examine how religious categories are constructed in public spheres. Taira's publication output shows consistent productivity with 121 research outputs, including numerous articles and books. His recent work (2022-2025) demonstrates a strong focus on atheism studies, with multiple contributions to the 'Atheism in Five Minutes' series and related publications. His research spans both theoretical explorations of religious categories and empirical studies of media representations, showing an interdisciplinary approach that bridges religious studies, media studies, and sociology of religion. Taira is actively involved in doctoral supervision and teaching, with 79 instances of Master's thesis supervision and 12 instances as supervisor or co-supervisor of doctoral theses. His activities include peer review of manuscripts (56 instances), organization of academic events, and numerous invited talks. He has participated in significant research projects including 'Discourse on Religion and the Secular in the Finnish Media: Longitudinal and Comparative Study' (2011-2014) and 'Religious socialization in the era of climate change.'

• Religion in Media
• Atheism
• Secularism
• +5 more

Holger Weiss serves as Professor of General History at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology within the Department of Culture, History and Philosophy. Since January 2025, he has held an affiliated professorship at Gothenburg University, following prior guest professorships at Dalarna University (2015-2019) and Gothenburg University (2022). A member of the Finnish Society of Sciences and Letters, Weiss maintains active research collaborations across multiple institutions. Doctor of Philosophy (1997), University of Helsinki Licentiate of Philosophy (1994), University of Helsinki M.A. (fil.kand.) (1991), University of Helsinki Docent of African History (1998), University of Helsinki Docent of Global History (2003), Åbo Akademi University Weiss's research explores global and Atlantic historical entanglements , with specialized focus on Danish Gold Coast possessions and Swedish Saint Barthélemy colony dynamics. His work examines Caribbean/Atlantic cotton flows in early modern Sweden, West African environmental history (particularly Ghana), and Islamic studies in Ghana . Current projects analyze transnational labor movements including the International Trade Union Committee of Negro Workers and International of Seamen and Harbour Workers during the Interwar period, alongside contemporary Muslim social mobilization in Ghana. Recent publications reveal evolving research trajectories toward digital-era Muslim empowerment and transnational solidarity networks . His 2023-2025 output demonstrates increased focus on Ghanaian Islamic organizations, Atlantic labor history, and Nordic slavery heritage, with methodological emphasis on archival research across nine countries and fieldwork in Ghana. Weiss leads the active Muslim Empowerment in Ghana (MEG) project and Radikala sjötransportarbetare initiative, while previously directing projects on Ghanaian rhetoric analysis and Swedish class struggle. His supervised works include five academic projects examining West African history and Islamic studies. Fieldwork spans Ghana, Denmark, England, Finland, Germany, Nigeria, Norway, Russia and Sweden, with recent institutional visits to Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (2024) and Sweden's National Archives (2024).

• Global History
• Atlantic History
• Labor History
• +4 more

Mulki Al-Sharmani is a Professor of Islamic Studies at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Helsinki since January 2025. Previously, they served as Associate Professor of Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (2020-2024) and Lecturer of Islamic Theology (2018-2019). They hold a Docent (Islamic Studies) title from the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki (2015). Al-Sharmani’s affiliations include leading the Academy of Finland Research Project 'Islamic Feminism: Tradition, Authority, and Hermeneutics' (2013-2018) and collaborating with global movements like Musawah for gender justice in Muslim families. PhD in Anthropology, Johns Hopkins University (2005) MA in Anthropology & Sociology, American University in Cairo (1998) Research Interests span Islamic feminist hermeneutics , gender justice in family law , and transnational Somali diaspora studies . Their work bridges Qur’anic ethics with contemporary legal reform , focusing on Finland-Egypt comparative contexts . Key themes include religious literacy , mosque-based family programs , and methodological approaches to lived Islam . Publications since 2003 emphasize Islamic feminism , family law pluralism , and transnational migration ethics . Recent works analyze Qur’anic marriage ethics (2022), legal reform in Egypt (2024), and gender dynamics in Finnish Somali marriages (2018-2023). Scientific Awards : Best International Teacher Award (2019), Stora Priset (2020) Grants : Academy of Finland Fellowships (2013-2018) Al-Sharmani supervises doctoral programs in Political, Societal and Regional Change, and Gender, Culture, and Society. They examine PhD theses internationally and have organized conferences like the 21st Nordic Conference of Systematic Theology (2025) and Building Egalitarian Jurisprudence of Muslim Marriages (2019).

• Islamic Studies
• Gender and Islamic Law
• Feminist Hermeneutics
• +4 more

Amira Abou-Taleb is a Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Theology , University of Helsinki (ORCID: 0000-0002-9630-1216 ). Her work bridges Islamic theology , gender studies , and Quranic ethics , focusing on egalitarian reform in Muslim family relations and historical gender discourse. Fields of Interest : Theology, Islamic Ethics, Gender Studies, Quranic Studies, Arab Cultural History, Muslim Marriage Laws Key Research Trends : Analyzes gender representation in classical Islamic biographical literature, explores the concept of iḥsān (beauty/goodness) in Quranic moral frameworks, and advocates for egalitarian interpretations of Islamic family law. Scientific Awards : Conference Participation and Presentation Grant (2022, 2022, 2022) Fieldwork Grant (2021) FIME Grant (2020) Academic Activities : Regularly presents at international conferences like IQSA and AAR, chairs organizing committees, and contributes to scholarly debates on Islamic hermeneutics and gender justice through book chapters and journal articles.

• Theology
• Islamic Ethics
• Gender Studies
• +3 more

Raha Sabet Sarvestany is a Post-Doctoral Researcher and Lecturer at the Turku Institute for Advanced Studies (TIAS) within the School of History, Culture, and Arts at University of Turku, Finland. She previously served as a Research Fellow at Oslo University (2020-2022) and at National Chiao Tung University of Taiwan (2018). Her educational background includes: PhD in Women's Studies from the University of Pune, India Dr. Sabet Sarvestany's research spans interdisciplinary fields focusing on gender, religious minorities, migration, and political activism, with particular emphasis on Iran and the Middle East. Her work examines women's agency and resilience within oppressive political systems, especially among religious minorities like the Baha'i community in Iran. She employs qualitative research methods including interviews, analysis of personal narratives, and cultural memory studies to understand political subjectivity and social change. Her research is characterized by a strong commitment to documenting human rights violations while highlighting pathways to social transformation. Her scholarly contributions reveal a consistent focus on marginalized voices, particularly women from religious minority communities in Iran. Through comparative analysis of resistance strategies across different historical periods and political contexts, she documents how women navigate political repression while maintaining dignity and agency. Her work bridges academic research with activist engagement, connecting theoretical frameworks with practical human rights advocacy. Dr. Sabet Sarvestany has supervised MA theses at Oslo University and the Institute for Higher Education in Iran. Her teaching portfolio includes courses on Baha'i Studies, Women's Agency and Movements in the Middle East, Ethnicity and Diversity, Religion and Gender, and Research Methodology at various institutions including Turku University, University of Trento, Oslo University, and educational institutions in Iran and India. Her research is organized around understanding political subjectivity among marginalized communities, with particular attention to how women from religious minorities in Iran exercise agency despite systematic oppression. She maintains an active scholarly presence through publications, conference presentations, and engagement with human rights organizations, positioning herself as a scholar-activist committed to social justice.

• Gender Studies
• Women's Studies
• Iranian Studies
• +5 more