LeighAnne Rauhala

LeighAnne Rauhala is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher/Project Manager at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, focusing on Urban Social Work, Empowerment, Empathy, and Sustainability. She coordinates courses in the Degree Programme’s English track and oversees international mobility for Social Services students. Her research emphasizes 'Qualified Empathy' development in students, supported by the Nordplus project (2017-2019). She leads the development of the Social Work in Urban Areas - International Joint Semester Programme and contributes to the Urban SOS Erasmus+ Project (2019-2022).

Education:

• Master of Social Work, University of Central Florida (1996–1998)
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, University of South Florida (1994–1996)
• Vocational Teacher Education (60 ECTS), Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences (2009–2010)

Her research interests center on empathy’s role in social work, urban social challenges, and sustainability. Key themes include Qualified Empathy as a professional competency, urban resilience during crises (e.g., pandemic impacts on public spaces), and innovative pedagogical methods like gamification. Her work bridges theory and practice through international collaborations.

Key Projects:

• Urban SOS Erasmus+: Addressing urban social challenges through transnational partnerships
• Nordplus: Developing empathy-focused curricula for social work students

Her publications explore empathy training, urban social dynamics, and pandemic responses in social systems. She actively contributes to interdisciplinary networks like the Qualified Empathy Collaboration and the Association Talentia OAJ.