معرفی
Katja Karjalainen is a University Lecturer at the Department of Law, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Administration, University of Eastern Finland. She holds a PhD in private international law and comparative law from the University of Helsinki (2016). Her research focuses on vulnerabilities in private law and private international law, with an emphasis on equality rights, family law instruments, and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. She has served as Secretary of the Finnish Branch of the International Law Association (2013–2016) and is currently a board member. Her work bridges domestic, EU, and international legal frameworks, particularly addressing challenges faced by vulnerable adults and the interplay between human rights and legal systems.
Key research themes include cross-border legal protection for adults, EU law harmonization, disability rights in employment, and the implementation of the UNCRPD. Her publications span journals like the Journal of Private International Law and Nordic Journal of Human Rights, as well as edited volumes such as International Actors and the Formation of Laws (Springer, 2022), which she co-edited. This book examines how international actors influence legal systems globally, focusing on topics from financial sanctions to indigenous rights.
Dr. Karjalainen is involved in interdisciplinary projects, including studies on employees with mild cognitive impairment or early-onset dementia, emphasizing workplace accommodations and legal rights. She contributes to policy discussions on aging populations, elder care, and the intersection of law with societal challenges. Her work highlights the evolving role of international and European legal frameworks in shaping domestic laws, particularly in vulnerable populations' protection.
