Johannes Riquet is a Professor in the Department of English at Tampere University , Finland, and Head of English. He directs the Spatial Studies and Environmental Humanities research group and leads interdisciplinary projects such as Mediated Arctic Geographies funded by the Academy of Finland (EUR 480,000, 2019–2023). Research Interests : Spatial theory, literary geography, environmental humanities, Arctic studies, mobility, and deconstruction. Recent Publications include monographs on island aesthetics, Arctic geopoetics, and co-edited volumes with Wesleyan UP and Manchester UP. His work spans cinematic geographies, Arctic comics, and hip-hop narratives. Grants : Principal Investigator for Mediated Arctic Geographies (Academy of Finland, 2019–2023). Collaborative Projects : Co-curated Circumpolar Connections with Indigenous scholars, integrating Arctic and Indigenous knowledges.
Aino-Kaisa Koistinen is a University Researcher at the Research Institute of the University of the Arts Helsinki, holding a PhD in contemporary culture studies (University of Jyväskylä), an MA in literary studies (University of Oulu), and the title of Docent in media culture (University of Turku). Her transdisciplinary research explores: Writing as feminist/posthumanist knowledge production More-than-human collective writing practices Affective responses to violent fiction Art as cultural sustainability Re-imaginations of humanity in speculative fiction Intersections of feminist, artist, and environmental pedagogies She currently leads the Research Council of Finland-funded project 'Writing-with Others as Artist Pedagogy' (2023-2026), investigating collective writing amid polycrisis through collaborations with the Uncomfortable Museum project and The Monster Network. Her work emphasizes accessibility, equity, and poetic experimentation with non-human actors.
Eetu Mäkelä is a Professor of Digital Humanities at the University of Helsinki, leading the research group at the Helsinki Centre for Digital Humanities. He focuses on computational methods in humanities and social sciences, including datafication and interdisciplinary collaboration. He serves as Technical Director of DARIAH-FI and a Research Programme Director at the Helsinki Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities. Currently, he heads the preparatory group for the Helsinki Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor’s Programme. His research emphasizes technological and theoretical foundations of computational research, with notable contributions to linked open data, sociolinguistic analysis, and historical text mining. He has developed widely used tools like Recon, Palladio, and Octavo, which are employed in academic and public sectors. His work has garnered over 20 awards, including best paper and open science recognitions. Key areas of expertise include digital humanities methodologies, data integration, and open science practices. He actively contributes to teaching, designing courses such as 'Methods for Digital Humanities' and demonstrating innovative pedagogical approaches. His recent projects involve analyzing 18th-century philosophical texts and sociolinguistic change using computational methods. Awards: Multiple best paper awards, open data awards, and open science awards. Grants/Advising: Leads research initiatives funded by the Academy of Finland and other bodies. Mentors interdisciplinary research teams but no specific student names listed. He maintains active roles in academic infrastructure, including the DARIAH-FI initiative and the Helsinki Institute’s datafication program. His work bridges technical innovation with humanities scholarship, emphasizing practical, enduring systems for academic and public use.
Hannu Toivonen is a Full Professor of Computer Science at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Science and the Department of Computer Science. He leads the Discovery Research Group and is part of the Helsinki Institute for Information Technology (HIIT) and the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI). He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Helsinki in 1996 and has held his professorship since 2002. His research spans Artificial Intelligence , Data Science , Computational Creativity , and Data Mining , with applications in generative art, automated journalism, and bioinformatics. His research focuses on: Developing AI systems for creative tasks (e.g., poetry, music, and art generation) Cross-lingual natural language processing and unsupervised learning Ethical and societal implications of AI in media and labor Analysis of his 15 most recent publications (2021–2025) reveals a strong emphasis on computational creativity and AI-driven content generation , with interdisciplinary applications in digital humanities, journalism, and biology. Trends include ethical AI frameworks, human-AI collaboration, and innovative evaluation methods for generative systems. Scientific Awards & Honors: Knight, First Class, Order of the White Rose of Finland (2019) Best Applied Research Award, IEEE ICDM (1998) Honorary Member of TKO-äly (2010) Member of Finnish Academy of Science and Letters He has supervised over 20 doctoral theses and secured ~7 MEUR in grants (e.g., EU projects: Embeddia , Newseye ). He leads the Discovery Research Group and collaborates with institutions like VUB (Belgium) as a Francqui International Professor (2025).
Tuomas Tepora holds the position of Senior Research Fellow at the University of Helsinki within the Department of History, Philosophy and Literary Studies. He also holds a Docent title at the same institution. His research focuses on Finnish history, cultural memory, and nationalism, with a particular emphasis on sociopolitical conflicts and collective trauma. His expertise intersects with UN Sustainable Development Goals, contributing to cultural understanding and peacebuilding. Key research themes include the Finnish Civil War, propaganda analysis, and post-Cold War identity dynamics. Recent Activities: Over 90 academic activities since 2021, including invited lectures, conference presentations, and editorial roles. Media Engagement: Frequent interviews on platforms like Yle.fi and MTV3, discussing historical topics with public relevance. Awards: Nominated for 'Vuoden Historiates 2022' (Historical Book of the Year) in 2023, recognizing his scholarly contributions. Collaborations: Active in international research networks, particularly in European civil war and nationalism studies.
Svante Lindberg is a Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in the Department of Languages at Åbo Akademi University’s Faculty of Humanities, Psychology and Theology. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and Licentiate of Philosophy from Stockholm University, a Master of Philosophy from Uppsala University, and a Diplôme d'études approfondies from Université de Nice. His academic work spans multiple institutions, including substitute roles at Stockholm University and guest lectures at the University of Groningen. Doctor of Philosophy, Stockholm University Licentiate of Philosophy, Stockholm University Master of Philosophy (Linguistics), Uppsala University Bachelor of Philosophy, Stockholm University Diplôme d'études approfondies, Université de Nice His research focuses on contemporary French-language literature, particularly from Quebec, migration literature, world literature, and the works of Michel del Castillo. He also investigates 18th-century French cosmopolitan networks and literary didactics. His doctoral thesis analyzed narrative identity in Quebecois novels, and he edited a significant anthology on migrant literature in Quebec and Scandinavia. He publishes regularly in French, Swedish, and English, contributing to journals and academic volumes on literary theory, translingualism, and cultural identity. The trend in his recent publications shows a strong engagement with narrative identity, translingualism, and the cultural representation of the 'South' in literature. His work bridges French, Scandinavian, and global literary contexts, with a methodological focus on comparative and transcultural analysis. He frequently explores themes of migration, trauma, and religious identity across historical and contemporary texts. His scientific awards include: Guldkanten (2018) Harry Elvings legat (2018, twice) Åbo Akademi Jubileumsfond 1968 (2012) Åbo Akademis mobilitetsstipendium (2010) Lindberg supervises bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses and has served as an examiner and academic advisor. He is actively involved in academic service, including organizing conferences, peer reviewing, and participating in recruitment committees. He has contributed to the cultural impact of his research through studies on French imagery in Scandinavian literature and has engaged in international academic collaboration, particularly with institutions in the Netherlands and Norway. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and cultural understanding. He is a member of academic networks and has hosted visiting scholars, participated in numerous conferences, and contributed to editorial boards. His recent activities include presentations on Michel del Castillo and participation in the NIC Conference 2023 on intercultural communication.
Maria Mäkelä is a Senior Lecturer in Comparative Literature and Head of the Literary Studies Degree Programme at Tampere University's Faculty of Social Sciences. She holds a PhD and is a Docent in Narrative Theory. Her research focuses on narrative theory, digital media storytelling, and the interplay between personal experience and collective narratives in social media environments. She leads the Authors of the Story Economy consortium (2024–2028), funded by the Research Council of Finland. Her expertise includes comparative literature, narratology, and the analysis of viral storytelling dynamics. She co-founded the Narrare Centre for Interdisciplinary Narrative Studies and has published widely on topics like climate change narratives, political storytelling, and the ethics of personal experience sharing. Key projects include the Dangers of Narrative initiative, which critiques the risks of instrumental storytelling in public discourse. Mäkelä's work bridges literary theory with social science, emphasizing the societal impact of narrative forms. Her articles explore how social media transforms storytelling into a didactic force, often distorting intended ethical and political messages. She also investigates medieval exempla in contrast to modern digital narratives, highlighting enduring patterns of narrative authorization. Grants and leadership roles include the Research Council of Finland’s 2024–2028 consortium, academic board memberships, and editorial roles in journals like Style and Partial Answers . Her interdisciplinary approach has influenced fields from information systems to welfare studies, emphasizing narrative’s role in shaping collective understanding. Lab/Team affiliations include the Narrare Centre and collaborations with institutions like the University of Turku and IULM University. Her research underscores the need for story-critical approaches to address narrative pitfalls in contemporary media environments.
Ann-Charlotte Palmgren is a University Lecturer in Gender Studies at Åbo Akademi University, affiliated with the Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology and the Department of Culture, History and Philosophy. She holds a PhD in Gender Studies (2014) and the title of Docent (2021), equivalent to Associate Professor. Her academic work spans interdisciplinary research at the intersection of feminist urban studies, youth and girlhood studies, internet studies, and methodological innovation. Her research interests include: Feminist urban studies and spatial justice Girlhood and youth temporalities Critical autoethnography and poetic inquiry Qualitative methods and creative academic writing Ethics in ethnographic research Temporalities in literature and environmental crisis Her recent publications (2021–2025) reflect a strong thematic coherence centered on embodiment, temporality, and poetic expression in research. She frequently employs walking interviews, autoethnography, and interdisciplinary methods to explore how young people experience urban and digital spaces. Her work bridges scholarly rigor with poetic and narrative forms, contributing to evolving methodologies in the humanities. Scientific awards received include: Första pristagare i Solveig von Schoultz-tävlingen för dikter (2018) Utmärkt undervisningsförmåga in Gender Studies (2022) Honourable mention for 'Standing still: Walking interviews and poetic spatial inquiry' (2018 Wiley Area Prize) She is actively involved in academic mentoring and supervision, currently serving as main supervisor for three doctoral researchers. She has contributed to university pedagogy through workshops and seminars and plays a leadership role in research, including jury memberships, dissertation evaluations, and hosting academic visitors. Since 2023, she has been editor-in-chief of the journal Finsk Tidskrift , further amplifying her influence in Nordic humanities scholarship. Her research is supported by grants from The Turku Urban Research Programme and Svenska litteratursällskapet i Finland, focusing on girlhood in urban space and temporality in youth culture and environmental questions.
Lovisa Andén is a Senior Researcher at Åbo Akademi University's Faculty of Arts, Psychology and Theology, and an Associate Professor in Philosophy at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. She co-founded and leads the MYTH (Memory, Testimony and Historiography) Research Centre, focusing on testimonial literature, memory cultures, and historiography. Her current project, 'Muted Memories and Silenced Stories: Memoirs by Women of the Gulag Archipelago' (2022-present), funded by the KONE Foundation, examines representation and truth in Gulag women's memoirs. Previously, she led a postdoctoral project on Western Gulag survivors' memoirs funded by Östersjöstiftelsen. PhD in Philosophy (2017) from Uppsala University/Södertörn University Co-editor of Merleau-Ponty's unpublished 1953-1954 Collège de France lectures Active in academic presentations (e.g., 2023 talks on Siberian deportations, Gulag narratives) Her research applies phenomenological frameworks to analyze language, experience, and truth in literary testimony. Articles from 2025 explore testimonial authenticity in women's Gulag memoirs, while her 2024 monograph 'Mer verklig än verkligheten' systematizes Merleau-Ponty's literary philosophy. Earlier work bridges Proustian aesthetics with phenomenological theories of expression. Scholarly contributions span interdisciplinary topics: 2023-2024 publications on memory-historiography interplay; 2021-2022 analyses of Gulag literature's fact-fiction dynamics; 2018-2020 foundational studies of Merleau-Ponty's linguistic theories. This output demonstrates sustained engagement with phenomenology, literary testimony, and Eastern European memory politics.
Hanna Samola is a University Lecturer in Finnish literature at Tampere University's Faculty of Social Sciences, History, Philosophy and Literary Studies department. She also holds a docent position in Finnish literature at the University of Turku. Her research focuses on genre studies, intertextuality, critical plant studies, and fairy tale studies. She has taught at institutions including the University of Oregon and Stockholm University, with additional visiting roles at multiple European universities. Her research emphasizes dystopian literature, feminist dystopias, and intermedial analyses of Nordic texts. Notable projects include analyzing Anu Kaajan's plays, Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale versus Johanna Sinisalo's works, and botany in dystopian narratives. She co-edited the anthology Romanssikertomukset 2000-luvulla (2024) and frequently publishes in journals like Avain and Fafnir . PhD (2016): Fairy tale intertexts in Pirkko Lindberg, Laura Gustafsson, and Johanna Sinisalo dystopias Over 40 publications spanning books, peer-reviewed chapters, and reviews Active in academic editing roles, including journal editorships Her recent work explores transmedia romance narratives, Chernobyl cultural representations, and Finnish contemporary literary trends. Key contributions include interdisciplinary analyses of posthumanism, gender politics, and environmental humanities.
Kati Launis is a Professor of Literature (Literary Culture) at the University of Eastern Finland, specializing in digital literary studies and 19th-century women writers . She works within the School of Humanities and leads the Digital History for Literature in Finland project (2022-2026) funded by SA. University affiliation: University of Eastern Finland Academic rank: Professor Research group: SUVEF - Gender Studies Network Research Interests Her work focuses on digitized literary history, gendered authorship, and the application of computational methods to analyze historical reading patterns. Key areas include: Digital humanities approaches 19th-century Finnish literary culture Women's writing in Finland Library loan data analysis Corpus stylistics Cultural exchange mapping Recent Article Trends Her publications emphasize digital methodologies (2023-2025) for analyzing historical reading habits , gender roles , and cultural metadata , with a focus on Finnish and Nordic contexts. Collaborations Works frequently with interdisciplinary teams on projects like: Co-Loan Analysis LibDat Digital metadata archives
Anatoly Pinsky is a Visiting Professor at the Aleksanteri Institute, University of Helsinki, specializing in Soviet and post-Soviet studies. His work focuses on late Soviet subjectivity, cultural history, and political analysis. He has edited anthologies such as Subjectivity after Stalin (2019) and authored studies on Khrushchev-era diaries and Cold War intellectual history. His research bridges literary analysis, political theory, and cultural studies. Key research areas include post-Stalin individuality, Soviet cultural policy, and modern Russian political dynamics. Recent publications analyze the Ukraine conflict's geopolitical dimensions and the role of dissent in Putin's Russia. Pinsky also engages with contemporary issues like the Prigozhin protests, linking them to broader authoritarian regime strategies. His articles span book reviews, peer-reviewed analyses, and public-facing commentary. Notable contributions include critiques of Evgeny Dobrenko's work on Stalinist aesthetics and Eleonory Gilburd's studies on Soviet cultural exchange. He regularly publishes in journals like Kritika and Russian Review , emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to understanding Soviet and post-Soviet cultural and political landscapes.
Niilo Kauppi is a Research Director at the Centre for Consumer Society Research within the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Social Sciences , and holds a concurrent role as Research Professor at CNRS (French National Centre for Scientific Research) (on leave). He specializes in political sociology with a focus on knowledge governance, European politics, and transnational social fields. Education : PhD in Sociology (cotutelle) from University of Helsinki and École des Hautes Études en Sciences Sociales (Paris), supervised by Pierre Bourdieu MSc in Political Science and Philosophy from University of Helsinki Law studies at Université Panthéon-Assas Paris II Research Interests : Kauppi's work examines the interplay between knowledge systems and governance structures, particularly in global higher education rankings, EU politicization dynamics, and the sociological analysis of transnational policy instruments. Key themes include: Global governance frameworks and their sociological underpinnings Instrumental rationality in academic evaluation systems European integration through a politicization lens Sociological field theory applied to intellectual and political actors Recent Research Trends : His recent work emphasizes the transformative impact of global ranking systems on academia, the role of rhetoric in EU policymaking, and transnational framing of political issues. Collaborations span European institutions and interdisciplinary networks. Awards : ECPR Mattei Dogan Foundation Prize (2020) Grants & Projects**: Led major initiatives including the Academy of Finland's TRACE project (2015–2019), and ongoing work on democratic governance legitimacy (DemGo project). Active in Jean Monnet Network DebatEU and KNOWSCIENCE initiatives. Labs/Teams**: Coordinates the Centre for Consumer Society Research, focusing on consumption patterns and societal transformation, while maintaining affiliations with CNRS and international research networks.
Sari Katajala-Peltomaa is a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of History, Philosophy and Literary Studies at Tampere University. She specializes in the history of the Late Middle Ages with a focus on lived religion, gender studies, and canonization processes. Her work examines religious practices, gender roles, and family dynamics in medieval Europe. Her academic contributions include monographs such as *Lived Religion and Gender in Medieval and Early Modern Europe* (2021) and *Demonic Possession and Lived Religion in Later Medieval Europe* (2020). She has also edited volumes on topics like medieval miracle collections and the history of religious experiences. Katajala-Peltomaa holds a Ph.D. from Tampere University (2006) and has held leadership roles including President of the Finnish Historical Society (2018–2020) and editorships of series like *Studia Fennica Historica*. Her research bridges medieval religious practices with modern theoretical frameworks, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to historical experience.
Jopi Nyman is a Professor at the School of Humanities , specializing in migration literature, border studies, and cultural identity. Their work explores spatiotemporal processes of identity formation, hybridity, and displacement narratives in European and Mediterranean contexts. Key research areas: Migration Literature, Border Studies, Cultural Identity Notable contributions: Edited volumes on temporalities of migration and hybridity Publications span from 2022 to 2025, including both peer-reviewed and popularized works. Recent articles analyze Laila Lalami's Hope and Other Dangerous Pursuits , Maltese identity in Slippery Steps , and Arctic representations in 1930s British travel writing. Their scholarship emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches to borderscapes and cross-border mobilities.
