Boardmembers’ Biographies

Chair: Tiina Soini-Ikonen

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

Her research focuses on change processes within educational institutions and communities, such as curriculum reforms, as well as the learning, well-being, and agency of comprehensive school students and educational professionals during periods of change. Her research group employs multi-method approaches, with a particular emphasis on examining multi-level processes and interactions among different groups of actors.

Vice Chair: Tanja Vehkakoski

Tanja Vehkakoski, Doctor of Education and Adjunct Professor (Docent), works as University Lecturer in Special Education at the Department of Education, University of Jyväskylä.

Her research interests include pedagogical documentation, classroom interaction, and social disability studies. Methodologically, she 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 Tampere University and the University of Eastern Finland.

Her research focuses on teacher and student agency, well-being, and inclusive education.

Treasurer: Juho Kiljunen (UEF)

Juho Kiljunen, Master of Education, is a doctoral researcher at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland.

Communications Officer: Henna Timonen

Henna Timonen, Master of Education, works as a University Teacher and doctoral researcher in Education and Adult Education at the University of Eastern Finland.

Board Members

Kati Mäkitalo (University of Oulu)

Deputy member: Sari Yrjänäinen (University of Turku)

Kati Mäkitalo (Doctor of Education) is Professor at the Faculty of Education and Psychology, University of Oulu.

Her research interests focus on the use of technology in teaching and learning, collaborative and inquiry-based learning, and activity-based learning across educational contexts ranging from early childhood education to comprehensive education, upper secondary education, and higher education.

Pigga Keskitalo

Deputy member: Outi Kyrö-Ämmälä (University of Lapland)

Pigga Keskitalo (Doctor of Education) is Professor of Education at the Faculty of Education, University of Lapland.

Her research addresses contextual and structural issues in Arctic education, including challenges related to long distances and accessibility, Indigenous education and Sámi language teaching, as well as educational sustainability and equity.

Janne Varjo

Deputy member: Nina Mård (Åbo Akademi University)

Janne Varjo (Doctor of Social Sciences) is Professor of Sociology of Education at the Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Helsinki, in the Research Unit for the Sociology and Politics of Education (KUPOLI).

His research interests include sociology of education, educational policy, and questions related to the history and governance of education.

Anna-Maija Niemi

Deputy member: Jari Laru (University of Oulu)

Anna-Maija Niemi (Doctor of Education) is Professor of Education at the School of Educational Sciences and Psychology, University of Eastern Finland.

Their research is situated at the intersections of sociology of education, youth studies, and social disability studies. Cross-cutting themes in her work include belonging, social participation, and processes of inequality. She has explored these themes through analyses of young people’s life courses, educational policies and practices, and social differences.