Jenny Paananen (PhD, Docent of Finnish language) utilizes qualitative research methods such as conversation analysis and thematic analysis to explore co-operational resources and social involvement in clinical interaction. As data, Paananen uses recorded, authentic interaction (such as primary care consultations, psychotheraoy sessions, and negotiations in dementia care), interviews, and texts.

Currently, Paananen is Academy Reserach Fellow in the project Borderlines of Self, funded by the Research Council of Finland (2025–2029). The project studies self expression in video-facilitated group therapy for young adults with borderline personality disorder. The project is executed in the department of Nursing Science in the University of Turku, and it collaborates with Clinical Psychology and Scandinavian Linguistics in the University of Oslo.

Paananen has previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in various projects in the universities of Turku, Helsinki, and Tampere. Paananen defended her doctoral dissertation Constructing mutual understanding in multicultural primary care consultations in March 2019.