Hytk henkilökuntaa, kuvassa Sami Ylistö (sininen jakku), Niina Rantamäki (lyhyet hiukset), Eeva Harjula (vaaleat hiukset), Ossi Laaksamo tummansininen jakku

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Research and education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences contribute to the understanding and development of human activity, well-being and a sustainable society.

We promote cooperation within the humanities and social sciences

Research at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences is applied in several sectors of society. The faculty’s multidisciplinary nature means it crosses borders between disciplines and fields of study. Human sciences play a significant role in predicting global developmental trends and social changes as well as in meeting societal challenges and managing large masses of information.

About us
Our education
Our research
Contacts and staff
Collaborate with us
Oppio-rakennus talvella
Red brick buildings of the Seminaarinmäki make a visual landmark from the 19th century and the Teacher Seminary period of history.

Departments at the Faculty

Department of History and Ethnology

The Department of History and Ethnology (DHE) studies the activities of people and human communities, their conditions and consequences over time.
Projektitutkija Milla Pitkänen (vas.), yliopistonopettaja Kirsi Leskinen ja yliopistonopettaja Ville Manninen, kieli- ja viestintätieteiden laitos, taustalla A-rakennus

Department of Language and Communication Studies

The Department of Language and Communication Studies explores the importance of language and communication for individuals, communities and society.
Opiskelijoita Musica-rakennuksen edessä

Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies

The Department of Music, Art and Culture Studies is a leading provider of education and research in the creative and cultural sciences.
Kuva tienviitasta, jossa kylteissä eri kielten nimiä.

Centre for Applied Language Studies

The Centre for Applied Language Studies (CALS) is a research unit in the University of Jyväskylä.

Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy is one of the leading social science research units in Finland.

Study for a Master's degree

Explore the future of communication, music and global cooperation with our master's programmes. Gain the skills needed to excel in international development and education. Delve into the transformative power of music and its impact on modern life through cognitive, psychological, and societal perspectives. Understand the complexities of language, culture, and media in a globalized world.

Master's Degree Programme in Language, Globalization and Intercultural Communication
Master's Degree Programme in Music and Science
Master's Degree Programme in Development, Education and International Cooperation

Current news from the Humanities and Social Sciences

Edwin Nfor
Dissertation news
5.2.2026

New Study Reveals How Journalists Navigate Risk to Cover Crises in the Digital Age

MA Edwin Nfor explores in his doctoral dissertation how professional journalists navigate an environment that increasingly intersects with citizen journalism, digital platforms and political control.
Science news
2.2.2026

New Wisdom Letters publication calls for a planetary sustainability approach to the existing building stock

The School of Resource Wisdom at the University of Jyväskylä has published a new issue of Wisdom Letters (2/2025) focusing on the sustainability implications of demolition and preservation in the built environment.
Study news
28.1.2026

New course on Exploring Societal Art — register now

Join in for engaging and collaborative course this spring to learn more and to raise new questions about society and art.
See all

Doctoral Education in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

The doctoral education of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences trains international researchers who are capable of conducting independent research that generates new, critical scientific knowledge and adheres to the principles of good scientific practice. In addition to carrying out scientific work, doctoral studies prepare students for demanding specialist tasks, the creation and maintenance of scientific networks and international scientific publishing.

There are four specialisations in the Doctoral Programme in Humanities and Social Sciences:

  • History, Ethnology and Cultural Anthropology
  • Language Studies and Communication Studies
  • Music, Arts, and Culture Studies
  • Social Sciences and Philosophy

Doctoral Programme of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Research at the Faculty: International, societally significant and ethically sustainable

Our faculty has a research profile that draws from robust disciplines and emphasises a multidisciplinary approach. We will strengthen our position in international research and offer our researchers a functional research environment. The departments have defined the focus areas of our faculty’s research in their own strategies. Multidisciplinary areas of emphasis that span the whole faculty include: 

  • Societal, cultural and linguistic change processes 
  • Wellbeing, inclusion and social justice

 
Research at the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences 

Events and Dissertations

Arts and culture
Student events
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M106 Boombox

JYU.Wisdom movie screening: A Better Place

A Better Place is a documentary shot in Trinidad and Tobago, taking us to five different communities where the people are working to solve sustainability problems. It offers an opportunity to engage with sustainability challenges through a fresh lens.
Henkilö nojaa kyynärpäällään punatiilitalon ikkunalautaan
Dissertations
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C4, päärakennus/main building

14.2.2026 YAMK Sanna Karimäki-Nuutinen (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Social and Public Policy)

YAMK Sanna Karimäki-Nuutisen defends their doctoral dissertation in Social and Public Policy "Taidehallin yhteiskunnallisen toimijuuden muotoutuminen eläintuotantokriittisen näyttelyn toimijaverkostoissa: tapaus Siat Seinäjoella".
Edwin Nfor
Dissertations
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C1

14.2.2026 MA Edwin Nfor (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Journalism)

MA Edwin Nfor defends their doctoral dissertation in Journalism "Political Crisis Reporting In An Era Of Media Interdependence: Examining Various Facets of Media Hybridity in the Cameroon Anglophone Crisis".
More events