Risto Saarinen

Risto Saarinen is a tenured Professor of Ecumenics and former Vice-Dean for Research at the Faculty of Theology, University of Helsinki. He leads the Academy of Finland's Centre of Excellence 'Reason and Religious Recognition' (2014–2019). His expertise spans ecumenism, European Reformations, systematic theology, and recognition theory. He holds a Dr.theol. (1988) and Dr.phil. (1994) from the University of Helsinki, and a honorary Dr. theol. h.c. (2017) from the University of Copenhagen. His research bridges theology, philosophy, and interfaith dialogue, with notable contributions to Luther studies and Lutheran-Orthodox relations.

Education:

• Dr.theol., University of Helsinki, 1988
• Dr. phil., University of Helsinki, 1994
• Dr. theol. h.c., University of Copenhagen, 2017

Research Interests: Prof. Saarinen explores ecumenical recognition, historical theology, and the intersections of religion, trust, and modernity. His work emphasizes dialogue between faith traditions and societal ethics. Recent projects include the Centre of Excellence’s focus on religious recognition and its implications for multicultural societies.

Awards:

• Academia Europaea membership (2015)
• Suomen Kulttuurirahasto (2020)

Grants & Projects: Principal Investigator of the Centre of Excellence 'Reason and Religious Recognition' and contributor to projects like 'Protestant Roots of Finnish National Identities'.

Labs/Teams: Oversees the Centre of Excellence, collaborating with scholars in theology, philosophy, and religious studies across Europe and beyond.