I have worked at the Department of Russian Studies at the University of Turku as a lecturer and researcher. I wrote my doctoral dissertation on Soviet children’s fantasy literature in 2009. In my spare time, I enjoy reading both Russian literature and literature from other cultures as well.

I study
Russian and Soviet children’s literature, fantasy literature and contemporary
Russian literature. I am interested in how literature is used to construct
different worlds and ways to see people in relation to their surroundings – or
how literature can manipulate the ways we see and understand the world. I find
fantasy literature an especially exciting field of study, as while it is
culturally specific, it is also able to cross the boundaries of age and culture.  My research interests also include the methodological
questions that are related to the teaching of language and literature.

I have taught various courses on the Russian language, Russian literature and Russian culture at the Department of Russian Studies. The subjects that range from basic language skills to specific topics on Russian literature.