Eveliina Puutio
PHD (Education)
Postdoctoral researcher
Teacher education, school and society
Faculty of Education and Psychology
As a researcher, I am interested in the dynamics of children and young people's peer relationships and the development of relationship education. In my doctoral research I examined how gender and sexuality are being produced in the peer relationships of primary school children from the perspective of girlhood. I also viewed how gender and sexuality diversity becomes possible in child peer relations. My post-doctoral research focuses on the normalisation of violence in the friendships of primary school-aged children in children's everyday experiences and narratives.
In my research I utilize creative methods and participatory, school ethnographic research approaches. Theoretically, I am inspired by feminist new materialist theories. They offer a way to delve into how children's experiences and perceptions of relationships are shaped by complex networks of social, cultural, temporal, local and material factors.
Through my research I am aiming to increase understanding of children and young people's peer relations, to prevent them from becoming hurtful, and to help educators to ethically address the challenges and potentials for change in peer relations together with students.
Research interests
- Feminist new materialisms
- Creative and arts-based methodology
- School etnography
- Gender and sexuality in childhood
- Childhood peer relationships
- Girlhood studies
- Critical educational research
Researcher information
Contact information
Visiting address
Faculty of Education and Psychology, KTK325
