Northern Research Group for History of Childhood and Education

Northern Research Group for History of Childhood and Education is a multidisciplinary group gathering together researchers who work with questions related to history of education, childhood and youth at the University of Oulu. The Finnish acronym Lapanen means ‘mitten’ in English. The acronym refers to history of childhood as a research field (lapsuuden ja nuoruuden historia), but at the same time it also refers to our Northern region, and our ways of working together. Like a warm mitten, the research group aims to encourage each other through collegial support and inspiring discussions. As a research field history of childhood and education remains rather fragmented in Finland. Disciplinary divides may also prevent researchers working on similar topics in different disciplines, like education and history, from finding each other. Lapanen seeks to build bridges crossing these divides, and to promote theoretical and methodological dialogue.

The research group brings together projects funded by the Academy of Finland, University of Oulu and several foundations.

Researchers:

• Academy of Finland research fellow in history, PhD Kaisa Vehkalahti (PI)
• Post-doctoral researcher, PhD Essi Jouhki
• Doctoral student of education, MA Anne Koskela
• Post-doctoral researcher, PhD Tiina Kuokkanen
• Academy of Finland research fellow in archaelogy, PhD Sanna Lipkin
• Doctoral student of history, MA Helena Pennanen
• Post-doctoral researcher, PhD Johanna Sitomaniemi-San
• Post-doctoral researcher, PhD Tiina Väre