معرفی
Viivi Mäkinen is a Postdoctoral Researcher in Social Psychology at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Social Sciences. She is affiliated with the Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ) and the Social Psychologists Studying Intergroup Relations (ESSO). Her research focuses on intergroup relations, bystander action in contexts of racism, and the design and effectiveness of school-based interventions to promote positive intergroup interactions. Mäkinen has contributed to projects such as the MOSH initiative (funded by the Academy of Finland) and the BYSTar project, which examines bystander responses to racism in higher education. She earned her Doctoral Thesis in 2024, titled *School-based vicarious contact interventions: examining the role of socio-normative and motivational factors*.
Her work bridges theory and practice, emphasizing the role of educators, facilitators, and peer dynamics in reducing prejudice and fostering inclusive environments. Mäkinen has organized major academic events, including the 2024 Annual Finnish Social Psychology Conference, and actively participates in international workshops and peer-review activities. She has collaborated with researchers in Italy, Slovakia, and Finland to analyze cross-cultural interventions and bystander behavior.
Mäkinen’s research has been published in journals like *Journal of Interpersonal Violence*, *Kasvatus*, and *Journal of Youth and Adolescence*. Her projects often address systemic inequalities and the psychological mechanisms underlying social interactions, with a focus on educational settings.
