Kristina Mikkonen

As a professor, my core mission is to generate high-quality, impactful research and to educate creative experts, educators, and leaders for the rapidly evolving fields of social and health care. I am specialised in health pedagogy, with a particular focus on how pedagogical design, learning environments, and instructional practices support competence development, well-being, and professional growth in health and social care. This work is carried out in close collaboration with the scientific community at the University of Oulu and through extensive national and international partnerships. I lead the Health Care Education and Competence (HealthEduCom) research group, an internationally oriented research environment focusing on human-centred, inclusive, and technologically enhanced health professions education.

My research expertise lies at the intersection of health pedagogy, social and healthcare education, professional competence development, and work-related learning environments. Central to my work are mentoring and guidance practices, the integration and professional development of immigrant and culturally diverse workforces, and the pedagogically meaningful use of digital, AI-supported, and extended reality (XR) technologies. Within HealthEduCom, these themes are integrated through a hybrid intelligence approach, combining pedagogical design, communication, psychological processes, and adaptive technologies to support diverse learners and sustainable professional development.

As a principal investigator, I lead both national and international research projects with a strong emphasis on translating research findings into educational and clinical practice. My work actively involves students, educators, researchers, and organisational leaders in co-creation processes, ensuring that research outcomes inform teaching, curriculum development, and professional learning environments. I systematically integrate students into research projects and mentor them in applying evidence-based knowledge to the development and implementation of innovative educational and clinical practices, thereby strengthening research-based education and future-oriented professional competence.