The University of Jyväskylä reforms teacher training – PhD Olli Luukkainen is Finland’s first professor of practice in teacher education

Many surveys and studies have revealed a strong need for comprehensive renewal of the Finnish education system. A decline in learning outcomes, the poorer wellbeing of pupils and teachers, demographic changes, and the rapid development of technology mean that teacher education must quickly take bold action to renew teachers’ basic education as well as continuing education.

“Throughout its history, the University of Jyväskylä has been a pioneer in teacher education, and we intend to remain a leading innovator in Finnish education also in the future,” says Sirpa Eskelä-Haapanen, head of the Department of Teacher Education at the University of Jyväskylä. “Under the leadership of Finland’s first Professor of Practice in Teacher Education, we will promote and lead a comprehensive transformation of the structure of Finnish teacher education and a renewal of its content areas.”

Olli Luukkainen, PhD (Educ.) and kouluneuvos (Finnish honorary title), has worked in various roles in education, including as a teacher educator, teacher, and rector, as well as in positions within educational organisations.

“I am delighted to be able to draw on my decades of experience in developing teachers’ work and the teaching profession,” says Luukkainen. “It is also a great honour to be able to do so within the extensive teacher education community at the University of Jyväskylä with its skilled staff.”

The new Professor of Practice says that the work of teachers and the teaching profession are undergoing a major transformation. The correlation between education and the world of work must continuously be strengthened and developed.

“Finland has always been a country that strongly believes education is important and must be developed,” says Luukkainen. “For a long time, however, we have been content to dwell on past successes and have been reluctant to acknowledge the need for reform, even when it is obvious.”

“The operating environment of education has changed and it will continue to do so. Therefore, teachers’ basic and continuing education must develop educational content and structures that are oriented towards the future. Education requires comprehensive and systematic reform. This is what we will start to do in a determined and novel way.”

JYU is a leading provider of teacher training

Every year, the university educates more than 600 new class teachers, subject teachers, special education teachers, and study counsellors. Educational management and continuing education activities are also extensive.

“Teacher education is an important part of the University of Jyväskylä’s educational profile,” says vice rector for education Marja-Leena Laakso. “It will also be a central part of our university’s strategic focus areas in the future. At the same time, we are determined to develop our teacher education in a high-profile way to better correspond to the needs of a changing world. The establishment of the professorship of practice in this field of study is a concrete proof of our strong commitment and ambitious goals.”

The University of Jyväskylä is leading the extensive national Education for the Future Flagship (EDUCA) competence cluster, which is financed by the Research Council of Finland and promotes research-based development and management in the education sector.

“Our teacher training is firmly grounded in research-based learning, teaching, education, and education management,” says Marja-Kristiina Lerkkanen, director of the EDUCA flagship and the dean of the Faculty of Education and Psychology. “The Professor of Practice will help us to provide stronger support for research-based efforts to develop the education sector in Finland.”

The two-year part-time professorship of practice started on 15 April 2026.

“For this position, we invited a highly experienced professional in education with strong networking skills,” says Eskelä-Haapanen. “We expect Olli Luukkanen’s versatile experience to strengthen the development of teacher education at the University of Jyväskylä, increase its impact, and boost our international visibility.”