Born in Helsinki 1973, studied my master’s degree in Joensuu, Northern Carelia. After a year as a junior high teacher in Sipoo, I became a doctoral student. I lived in Munich while digging Bavarian archives for my theses on early modern law and culture.
In 2008 I defended my doctoral thesis at the University of Eastern Finland. The dissertation focused on public shaming in the criminal justice system of the Duchy of Bavaria at the turn of the 16th century. See more in “Zum Spektakel und Abscheu“.
Over the years I have enjoyed working at several Finnish universities, in different research and teaching positions (in Joensuu, Turku, Jyväskylä, Helsinki and Tampere). Interdisciplinary and multi-professional co-operation, among others with NGOs, has offered valuable perspectives and opportunities for societal impact. See more in “Work experience“.
My research interests include gender, bodiliness and aspects of violence in historical and present-day contexts of criminal law, human rights and attitudinal change. I believe investigating historical continuities and change helps not only understanding where we are coming from but also to develop current societies.
awards & honours
2020 Candidate for Academic book of the year.
2019 Safety award of the year, Helsinki shelter association (Pääkaupungin turvakoti ry).
2019 Book of the week (Helsingin Sanomat).
2015 Research member of Finnish Historical Society (Suomen Historiallinen Seura).
education
2005−2008 Doctor of Philosophy. University of Eastern Finland, Faculty for Social Sciences and Regional Studies.
2001−2005 Licentiate of Philosophy. University of Joensuu, Faculty for Humanities.
1994−2000 M.A. University of Joensuu, Faculty for Humanities. Major: history. Minors: social sciences, theology, German and Russian & the subject teacher’s training.
1993 Graduation. Rudolf Steiner School, Helsinki.