I am Professor of Applied Language Studies at the University of Jyväskylä, where my work focuses on language education policy, multilingualism, and migration-related research. Throughout my career, I have been driven by a commitment to understanding how language shapes belonging, participation, and lived experience—particularly for migrants, asylum seekers, and multilingual communities. My research often brings together sociolinguistics, ethnography, and arts‑based methodologies to explore these issues from the perspective of those whose voices are too often marginalised.
My engagement extends beyond academia. I chair Finland’s national Network for Language Education Policies and have served as an expert in several governmental committees shaping language, education, and integration policy. I frequently contribute to public discussions through media interviews on topics such as minority rights, multilingual education, and the everyday experiences of migrants and asylum seekers.
Across my career, I have been committed to socially responsible and community‑engaged research—work that challenges inequalities, amplifies marginalised perspectives, and contributes to more just language and integration policies.
I completed my PhD in Applied Linguistics at the University of Jyväskylä in 2003 and hold the Title of Docent in language education policies at the University of Eastern Finland. My academic journey has been enriched by international collaborations and visiting professorships, including at the University of Sheffield and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, as well as research stays at universities in Leeds and Birmingham. Over the years, I have secured more than 1.8 million euros in competitive research funding as a principal investigator or co‑PI, leading projects funded by the Research Council of Finland, Svenska kulturfonden, the Kone Foundation, and the Ministry of Education and Culture.
I have authored over 120 publications and contribute actively as a reviewer and evaluator for major research councils, academic journals, and professorships across Europe. Supervising doctoral researchers and leading multidisciplinary research teams have been central and rewarding parts of my work. I also serve as Vice Head for Research and Innovation at the Centre for Applied Language Studies.
More about me and my research, see CV and publications below.
