Short Description

The Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki engages in cutting-edge research related to human growth, development, and learning. We educate and train teachers and other experts for positions that require expertise in education, schooling, teaching, learning, leadership, social issues and educational sciences. The Faculty of Educational Sciences conducts multidisciplinary and wide-ranging pedagogical research.

Our research encompasses the different stages of the human life cycle, from early childhood to school age, adulthood, professional life, and ageing. The faculty hosts nine extensive research communities that focus on the themes of education and society, diversity and justice, learning and culture, teaching and teacher training, special education, educational assessment, learning and teaching in subjects related to the humanities and social sciences, as well as the maker culture, design and technology. The University of Helsinki scores highly in international comparisons of research and teaching in the educational sciences: it is among the leading Nordic and European universities and around the top 50 in the world.

Contact Person

Outi Saarakkala

Heidi Krzywacki

Dr. Heidi Krzywacki works as a university lecturer in mathematics education in the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki. Her research focuses on teacher education and curriculum resources in teaching and learning mathematics, especially the interplay between curriculum resources and teachers in cross-cultural contexts.

Kirsi Wallinheimo

PhD (Education), MA Kirsi Wallinheimo is a University Lecturer in teaching foreign language didactics at the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University of Helsinki.  Her pedagogical and research interests include multilingualism and the intercultural dimensions in language education, the implementation of digital learning environments in language education, outside classroom learning, co-teaching and teacher reflection. She is involved in many international networks and projects and also an author of several language textbooks for primary and secondary school as well as for higher education.

Seija Karppinen

Dr. Seija Karppinen is a Deputy Head of Department of Education at University of Helsinki, Faculty of Educational Sciences. She is an Adjunct Professor in Crafts pedagogy, a teacher educator, in-service teacher trainer, PI, Project leader, and researcher. She has over 29 years’ experience as a teacher educator that provides her a broad insight into Finnish education system and teacher education. Her internationally oriented focus on education and several exchange visits abroad offers a broad expertise for active cooperation in education cross-over countries in Europe and East Africa. She has ability to mentor and motivate people with compassion in multicultural environment.

Anna Kouhia

Dr. Anna Kouhia works as a university lecturer in craft teacher education, especially teaching yarn crafts, knitting and pattern design, sustainable materials care and experimental and qualitative research methods. Her pedagogical interests include skills development, flipped learning, reflective practice and learning and teaching in digital environments. Kouhia has experience in the development of digital-material pedagogical resources spanning from early childhood education to higher education. Lately, her research has focused on principles and practices material care for the promotion of sustainable futures.