Born and educated in Pori (Satakunta region in Finland), Elina Sopo (Doctor of Philosophy) completed her Master's degree with honours in History of Art, Italian, and Latin at the University of Jyväskylä. Her PhD dissertation addressed the cultural politics and strategy employed by the Russian imperial authority during the period of autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland. After completing her dissertation, Sopo relocated to the University of Turku, Pori Campus, to pursue research in the Department of Cultural Heritage Studies.