Hisayo Katsui

Hisayo Katsui is a Professor of Disability Studies at the University of Helsinki, affiliated with the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Department of Social Policy. She holds the title of Docent in Disability Studies (2014) and a PhD in Social Policy and Development Studies (2005). Her research focuses on disability advocacy, global development, and sustainability science, with notable contributions to understanding disability inclusion in climate action, education systems, and labor markets. She leads major projects like the EU-funded 'Whose sustainability? Understanding and redefining just sustainability transformations through disability and queer perspectives' (2024–2029) and collaborates internationally on Nordic disability policies and sign language education.

Key roles include President of the Nordic Network on Disability Research (2025–2027), editor of the Scandinavian Journal of Disability Research, and member of Finland's Advisory Board for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Her work bridges academia and policy, emphasizing participatory approaches and marginalized communities' rights. Recent publications explore disability tax perceptions in Finland, reconciliation processes for deaf communities, and inclusive employment policies across Asia.

She supervises doctoral students in the Doctoral Programmes in Gender, Culture, and Society, and Social Sciences. Her research also addresses disability in aging populations, media representation, and transnational advocacy networks. Ongoing projects include studies on sign language units in Nordic schools and disability-inclusive climate action, reflecting her commitment to intersectional and global perspectives in disability studies.