Niina Manninen

Niina Manninen is a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Social Care and Course Lead for the BSc Health and Social Care at Royal Holloway, University of London, since September 2022. She holds a PhD in Educational Sciences from the University of Helsinki (2019), focusing on Finnish social services students' education and life purposes. Her research intersects moral sciences, psychology, theology, and education, with a focus on existential wellbeing and value clarity in helping professions. She has 10+ years of teaching experience in Finland and the UK, including roles at Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences.

Education: PhD in Educational Sciences (University of Helsinki, 2019), MA and BA in Education (University of Helsinki, 2008), and BSc in Social Care (JAMK University of Applied Sciences, 2000).

Recent work explores social justice approaches in Finnish social care education, spirituality in professional practice, and maternal care disparities across countries. She leads the BSc Health and Social Care program and teaches courses like SW2001 Contemporary Welfare States and SW1030 Perspectives on People in Society. She actively contributes to conferences (e.g., 50th Association for Moral Education) and peer-review journals like Nursing Ethics.

• Awards: 2024 Reid Research Fund Award (collaborative)
• Grants: Finnish Ministry of Education-funded study on vocational teacher education selection

Her work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to education and social justice. She supervises MSc Social Work dissertations and leads critical reflection seminars.