معرفی
Rosa Huotari is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Helsinki, working within the Faculty of Theology, specifically in Practical Theology. She holds affiliations with multiple research organizations including the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ), Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science, and Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria). Her work bridges theological inquiry with social issues, particularly focusing on urban contexts and community development.
Dr. Huotari's research primarily explores Urban Theology and its applications to contemporary social challenges. Her work centers on social inclusion in faith-based food assistance, examining how religious spaces can become sites of belonging for marginalized communities. She employs ethnographic methods to investigate the intersection of theology, welfare state transformations, and community development, with a particular focus on Finnish contexts. Her research reveals how food assistance programs operated by religious organizations create spaces for commensality (shared meals) that foster social inclusion and spiritual connection among participants. Through her work, Huotari demonstrates how theological concepts like koinonia (Christian fellowship) manifest in practical ways through community food programs.
Her scholarly contributions show a consistent trajectory examining how religious spaces negotiate safety, inclusion, and community in urban settings. A significant portion of her work analyzes the impact of the pandemic on marginalized communities and religious social services. Her research reveals complex dynamics between formal welfare systems and faith-based initiatives, highlighting how religious organizations fill gaps while navigating tensions between spiritual mission and social service delivery. These studies contribute to broader conversations about the evolving role of religious institutions in secularizing societies.
- Sivellin -opinnäytetyöpalkinto (2019)
Dr. Huotari actively participates in numerous scholarly activities, including conference presentations at events like the International Society for Empirical Research in Theology and Sosiologipäivät (Sociology Days). Her research is supported by significant projects including the Academy of Finland-funded 'CoCo: Exploring the Contested Constructions of Sense of Safety in Religious Spaces' (2023-2027) and the 'Korona yhteiskunnan marginaaleissa' project (2021-2023) examining low-threshold community responses during the pandemic. Through the Helsinki Inequality Initiative and Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies, she contributes to interdisciplinary research teams examining how urban spaces can become more inclusive and equitable through theological and social perspectives.
