Research Projects

Research projects funded by the Academy of Finland

Forcing the Way - Women in Professonal Networks of Power and Knowledge in 20th-Century Finland

• 1.1.2007-31.12.2009
• funded by the Power in Finland research programme, Academy of Finland (2007-2010)
• Project leader: Professor Jouko Vahtola
• The project consists of three post doctoral fellows, PhD Heini Hakosalo, PhD Seija Jalagin and PhD Marianne Junila, and two doctoral students, MA Heidi Kurvinen and MA Niina Timosaari.

   

History of the Saami in Finland

• 1.1.2002-31.12.2005
• funded by the Academy of Finland
• Project leader: Professor Jouko Vahtola

Research programmes in major subjects

Research in Finnish and Scandinavian History:

The main emphasis in research is laid on (I) the history of the northern society in Finland and neighbouring countries. It is approached from angles such as the early stages of settlement and culture, the history of the Sámi from the Middle Ages till 20th century in Tornio and Kemi Lapland, forestry and forest work as a vital part of northern economy, northern aspects of university policy, church and revivalist movements in the north and wartimes in northern areas.

Another, emerging focus area is (II) the crises and transformation of the Finnish agrarian society after the Second World War and the underlying socio-political conditions and actions.

The third main field of interest (III), position and influence of women in the 20th century in Finnish society, is carried out in the project Forcing the Way: Women in Professional Networks of Power and Knowledge in 20th-Century Finland. The project is funded by the Academy of Finland.

 

Research in General History focuses on:

History of Antiquity and the Middle Ages
Persons in charge: Lecturer Timo Sironen and Lecturer Markku Mäkivuoti

History of East Asia, especially Japan
Persons in charge: Professor Olavi K. Fält, Lecturer Henry Oinas-Kukkonen and Lecturer Seija Jalagin

History of the Baltic Sea area
Persons in charge: Assistant Professor Kari Alenius and Lecturer Markku Mäkivuoti

Historical study of mental images
Persons in charge: Professor Olavi K. Fält and Assistant Professor Kari Alenius

The press as a portrayer of important events and actors
Persons in charge: Professor Olavi K. Fält and Assistant Professor Kari Alenius

The image of the world in Finland, 1945-2005
Persons in charge: Professor Olavi K. Fält and Assistant Professor Kari Alenius

Christian missions and missionaries as international and cultural agents
Person in charge: Lecturer Seija Jalagin

History of information networks and communication technologies
Person in charge: Lecturer Henry Oinas-Kukkonen

 

The above themes constitute the overall research programme Globalization, cultural encounters and mental images.

History of Science and Ideas

Research in History of Science and Ideas focuses on developments within Finnish history of ideas and sciences. On the other hand it analyses the history of different disciplines, such as medicine, natural sciences, logic and philosophy, in its European context.