Ira Vainikainen

Ira Vainikainen

Doctoral Researcher
Unit
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Department / Division
Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Room number
OPK 127
Mobile
+358503509955
Postal address
Keskussairaalantie 2

Biography

I am interested in sustainable welfare and ecosocial policy research. Currently I am working on my doctoral thesis concerning the role of household indebtedness in regards to overconsumption and the sustainability transformation. 

Research interests

In my doctoral thesis in social and public policy, I explore the relationship between household debt and systemic overconsumption and production in welfare states. I am particularly interested in how debt both enables consumption and enforces production, as individuals are expected to make purchases to keep the economy going and obligated to maintain a sufficient income, most usually through employment. The dissertation focuses on Finland, where household indebtedness has more than doubled in the last quarter century, while the environmental footprint of Finns is one of the highest in EU. The doctoral thesis will consist of three publications and a summarizing report, utilizing a multi-method approach.