معرفی
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.
