Board 2025-2027

Chair of the Board Tiina Soini-Ikonen

Tiina Soini-Ikonen (KT) works as a Research Director at the Faculty of Education and Culture at Tampere University and leads the Learning and Development in Comprehensive School research group. She is also an Adjunct Professor (Docent) at the University of Eastern Finland.

Tiina’s research focuses on change processes in educational institutions and communities, such as curriculum reforms, as well as on the learning, well-being, and agency of comprehensive school students and professionals amid these changes. Her research group conducts mixed-methods research, with a particular emphasis on the empirical investigation of multilevel processes and the interactions among different stakeholder groups.

Vice Chair of the Board Tanja Vehkakoski

Tanja Vehkakoski, PhD (Education), Adjunct Professor, works as a University Lecturer in Special Education at the Department of Teacher Education, University of Jyväskylä. Her research interests include pedagogical documentation, classroom interaction, and critical disability studies. Methodologically, Vehkakoski specializes in qualitative research methods, particularly discourse analysis, conversation analysis, and narrative research.

Secretary Roosa Yli-Pietilä (TAU&UEF)

Roosa Yli-Pietilä works as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the SchoolWell project at both the University of Tampere and the University of Eastern Finland. Roosa’s research focuses on teacher and student agency, well-being, and inclusive education.

Treasurer Juho Kiljunen (UEF)

Juho Kiljunen, M.Ed., works as a Doctoral Researcher at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland. Their research is conducted within the field of educational sciences.

Publicist Henna Timonen

Henna Timonen, KM, Works as a University Teacher and Doctoral Researcher in the disciplines of Educational Science and Adult Education at the University of Eastern Finland.

Members of the Board

Kati Mäkitalo OU (Alternate Member Sari Yrjänäinen UTU)

Kati Mäkitalo PhD (Education), serves as a Professor in the Faculty of Education and Psychology at the University of Oulu. Their research interests focus on the use of technology in learning and teaching, collaborative and inquiry-based learning, and activity-based learning across educational contexts, including early childhood education, comprehensive education, upper secondary education, and higher education.

Pigga Keskitalo (Alternate Member Outi Kyrö-Ämmälä LY)

Pigga Keskitalo PhD (Education), works as a Professor of Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Lapland. Their research focuses particularly on the contextual and structural dimensions of Arctic education, including challenges related to long distances and accessibility, Indigenous education and Sámi language education, as well as issues of educational sustainability and equity.

Janne Varjo (Alternate Member Nina Mård ÅA)

Janne Varjo PhD, works as a Professor of Sociology of Education in the research group Sociology and Politics of Education (KUPOLI) within the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki. Their research interests focus on issues related to the sociology and politics of education, as well as the history and administration of education.

Anna-Maija Niemi (Alternate Member Jari Laru OU)

Anna-Maija Niemi PhD (Education), works as a Professor of Education at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology at the University of Eastern Finland. Their research is situated at the intersections of the sociology of education, youth studies, and critical disability studies. Cross-cutting themes in Niemi’s work include processes of belonging, social participation, and inequality. These themes are explored through analyses of young people’s life trajectories, educational policies and practices, and social differences.