Pia Kola-Torvinen
 


pia.kola-torvinen@utu.fi

+358 29 450 2981

+358 50 440 9928

Assistentinkatu 5

Turku


ORCID identifierhttps://orcid.org/0009-0004-0094-5765

Koulutussosiologian ja -politiikan tutkimusryhmä

Kasvatus- ja opetusalan johtajuuden tutkimusyhteisö

ResearchGate


Areas of expertise
Education; Educational Leadership; Teacher Competence; Curriculum Expertise; Education Export

Research community or research topic
Educa-flagship, Rigt to Belong, Participants’ Finland

Biography

Counsellor of Education, Finnish National Agency for Education


Doctoral Researcher, University of Helsinki



Research

My research focuses on how leadership during times of change is manifested across different levels of the comprehensive education system. Methodologically, the study adopts a bottom-up approach, starting from the school leadership level and progressing toward higher administrative structures. The next administrative level is the education provider level, which forms a key linkage connecting schools to local governance and national-level decision-making. The theoretical framework of the research is grounded in complexity and systems thinking, as well as the principle of distributed leadership across the different levels of the system.

In my role as Professor of Practice, I examine perspectives on inclusion and learning within the context of education and upbringing.



Teaching

In my teaching, I focus on analyzing development trends within national education systems, exploring leadership perspectives in the field of education, and promoting inclusion in both teaching and learning. These themes are approached through an integration of theoretical frameworks and practical applications, combining research-based solutions with evidence-informed pedagogical practices. My aim is to foster critical understanding of systemic change, leadership dynamics, and inclusive strategies that enhance educational equity and participation.



Publications


Last updated on 11/01/2026 01:19:45 AM