I am passionate about teaching and researching visual cultures and developing visual pedagogies. Currently, since January 2026, I work as University Teacher in Intercultural Communication. Previously, I worked as part-time teacher at the University of Jyväskylä (2011-2023) and Tampere University (2022-2024). Since January 2024, I hold the title of Docent in Visual Literacy (adjunct professor) at Tampere University. As Postdoctoral Researcher, I worked in the projects related to migration studies and transnational, digitally mediated family communication; multiliteracies; visual literacy and press photography. I received doctoral degree in December 2016 with the project titled: “Interpretation of Journalistic Photographs as an Instrument of Visual Literacy Education.”
Completed professional training:
16-20 June 2025, FORTHEM Co-creation Training, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway (complex challenges and co-creation; facilitation; doing co-creation session). Erasmus+ staff training.
26 Apr. 2021, Professional Teacher Education Program (60 ECTS), School of Professional Teacher Education, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Jyväskylä.
26 June 2017, Studies in University Pedagogy (25 ECTS), Faculty of Education, University of Jyväskylä.
16 May 2021, international course on e-learning in higher education, Open Networked Learning.
Awards:
2022 Best Congress Award, special mention, for organizing the IVLA2022 Conference as Chair of the Local Organizing Committee. Awarded by the Jyväskylä Convention Bureau, Finland.
2021 International Visual Literacy Association Research Award in recognition of active involvement in outstanding research that furthers the cause of visual literacy and for achievement in advancing knowledge within the field.
2019 Education Development Award (with Dr. Judit Hahn) for collaborative and diverse development of teaching and learning in the Department of Language and Communication Studies. Awarded by the Vice-Rector of the University of Jyväskylä.
My academic interest includes visual cultures and communication, visual literacy, press photography, and visual research methods. As a dedicated academic teacher of these topics, I advocate for more visual and collaborative teaching in the university. Since Sept. 2021, I am part of the management team of the ECREA Visual Cultures Section. In recognition of my active involvement in outstanding research that furthers the cause of visual literacy, I received the 2021 Research Award from the International Visual Literacy Association (IVLA).
