معرفی
Riikka Räisänen is a Professor at the University of Helsinki's Department of Education under the Faculty of Educational Sciences. She also leads the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS) and serves as Program Director for Craft Science and Craft Teacher Education. Her academic roles include being an Adjunct Professor at North Carolina State University (2023–present).
Her research focuses on sustainable natural dyes, craft science, and education for sustainability. Key projects include leading the BioColour consortium (2019–2025), funded by the Academy of Finland's Strategic Research Council, which develops bio-based colorants. She also coordinates EU-funded initiatives like Colour4CRAFTS (2023–2026) and DyeAnotherWay (2025–2029).
Räisänen's research spans chemical characterization of natural dyes, eco-toxicology assessments, and pedagogical models integrating design learning. Over 140 publications reflect her work on anthraquinone pigments, traditional dyeing practices, and sustainable textile innovations. Notable awards include the Silver Medal of the Society of Dyers and Colourists (2016) and the ISHS Medal (2022).
She has supervised multiple doctoral theses and collaborates internationally with institutions in Europe and North America. Her lab's work on 3D modeling of traditional folk costumes and bio-based dye databases bridges heritage preservation with modern applications. Recent activities include organizing the Biocolours2024 conference and presenting at global forums on sustainable coloration technologies.
