Raisa Carpelan

Raisa Carpelan is a University Lecturer and Docent in Educational Sciences specializing in school development and leadership at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Educational Sciences, Department of Educational Sciences. She serves as a supervisor in the Doctoral Program in Cognition, Learning, Teaching and Communication and the Doctoral Program in School, Education, Society and Culture.

Her research focuses on educational leadership, inclusive education, diversity, multilingualism, and social justice in education. With expertise in educational change, reforms, and special education development, Carpelan examines leadership practices through multiple lenses including early childhood education settings, comprehensive schools, and policy implementation contexts. Her work particularly addresses how principals construct meaning around inclusive leadership and navigate diversity in Finnish educational environments.

Analysis of her recent publications reveals a strong emphasis on practical applications of leadership theories in real-world educational settings, with particular attention to multicultural contexts, migrant communities, and equity-focused practices. Her research consistently bridges theoretical frameworks with practical implementation challenges faced by educational leaders.

As an active researcher, Carpelan participates in numerous funded projects including EDUCA (Academy of Finland Flagship Program), OPH VEPO leadership development initiatives, MångSam research on multilingualism, and INSPECT COVID19 studies. She has supervised doctoral work and contributed to educational evaluation through the University of Helsinki Centre for Educational Evaluation (HEA).

Her professional activities extend to academic service including membership on the Swedish Research Council evaluation panel, conference organization, and invited presentations on reimagining teacher education and inclusive school community development.