I have acted as a Professor of Sociology of Education since autumn of 2025. My background is in sociology, and I hold both a master's degree (MSocSc, 1993) and a doctorate (PhD, 2007) in sociology from the University of Helsinki. After compleming my doctorate I worked at the University of Helsinki (postdoctoral researcher at the Academy of Finland 2008-2010), the Finnish Youth Research Society (senior researcher and research coordinator 2011-2018), and the University of Eastern Finland (university lecturer in sociology 2018-2025). I hold two Titles of Docent awarded by the University of Helsinki (in sociology, 2016) and by the Tampere University (in sociological youth studies, 2023).

My research lies at the intersection of sociological youth studies and sociology of education, where I am interested in young people's transitions, the meanings of gender and social class, the margins of work and education, and young people's relationship with institutions. I specialise in qualitative methods. In my current research, I am interested in young people's views on social class and inequality, and how social class is seen to be linked to language use.

During the academic year 2026–2027, I will teach on the following courses:

• Graduate seminar (starting + ending seminars)
• Historical and Sociological Approach in Educational studies
• Education and Training as Social Phenomena
  
• Aspects of Sociology and Politics of Education
• Qualitative approach in Education studies