Projects per year
Organisation profile
Organisation Profile
The Department of Practical Theology focuses on the operations of different churches and other religious communities - in their foundabons, theories and practical results. The Department is responsible for teaching in the following three disciplines: General Practical Theology, Religious Education, and Church and Social Studies. The Department is also responsible for the applied studies which give students the opportuniq to acquire practical experience of congregational and religious work while also putting theoretical knowledge into practice.
The Department of Practical Theology is engaged in a number of research projects, some of which are international joint ventures and some of national importance. The Department participates in the nationwide interdisciplinary research programme on "The Economic Crisis of the 1990s in Finland", launched by the Academy of Finland. One of the international ventures is the research project on visual theology together with the Department of Art History of the University of Jyvaskyla, the Department of Church Architecture and Modern Church Art of the Universiq of Marburg, and the Liturgical Institute of the State University of Groningen; this study investigates the ecclesiastical art and theology of images in Finnish churches. A joint Nordic project is the study on children's life situations and their interpretations of life.
The Department is collaborating in a Nordic homiletic project on Lutheran sermon in the Nordic countries, and with the Research Institute of the Lutheran Church in Finland and Suomen Gallup (Finnish Gallup) on an extensive project called "European Values."
Ongoing research activities include an extensive project on pastoral care, an investigation into church administration and operational planning, and a study on Finnish liturgical tradition. Finnish religiosiq and the study of religious movements are a part of the Department's research areas. Further projects are studies on religious learning, distance teaching in religious pedagogy, further training for church employees, religious committment, alienation, and international relations of the churches.
Kuvio Digital Archives (www.kuvio.helsinki.fi), an umbrella archives for various academic uses, has been developed since 1995 at the Department of Practical Theology. Its backbone is the Archives for the Church Architecture and the Arts, which comprises of over 3000 press quality scans of modern European church architecture.
Fields of Science
- 614 Theology
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
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Timo Åvist
- Practical Theology
- Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies
- Teaching and Learning Services - Planning Officer
Person: M4 Administrative staff, Doctoral Researcher, UH
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Johan Bastubacka
- Faculty of Theology - Title of Docent
- Practical Theology - University Lecturer
- Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies - Supervisor for doctoral programme
Person: U3 Research and teaching staff
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Maria Buchert
- Practical Theology - University Instructor, University Lecturer
Person: U3 Research and teaching staff
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Henrietta Grönlund
- Practical Theology - Professor
- Diversity in Society and Life (DIVSOL)
- Helsinki Inequality Initiative (INEQ)
- Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS)
- Helsinki Institute of Urban and Regional Studies (Urbaria)
- Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies - Supervisor for doctoral programme
- Faculty of Theology - Title of Docent
Person: UH , Teaching and research personnel, U4 Research and teaching staff
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Pietari Hannikainen
- Doctoral Programme in Theology and Religious Studies - Supervisor for doctoral programme
- Practical Theology - University Lecturer
Person: U3 Research and teaching staff
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Research project: To Donate or not to donate?
Pessi, A. B. (Project manager)
01/01/2025 → 31/12/2026
Project: Research project
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A tree of knowledge: Practicing slow science in accelerating society
Rainio, A. (Principal Investigator), Nagatsu, M. (Co-Principal Investigator), Hirsaho, A. (Project manager), Vainio, A. (Participant), Vähäkangas, A. (Participant), Betz-Heinemann, A. (Participant) & Nurmi, S. (Participant)
Univ Helsinki, University of Helsinki, Helsinki Inst Social Sci & Humanities HSSH
01/11/2024 → 31/12/2025
Project: Research project
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USKONTO, MERKITYS JA MASKULIINISUUS: Miesten eletty uskonto Suomessa
Hannikainen, P. (Participant)
11/10/2024 → 31/12/2028
Project: Research Council of Finland: Academy Project
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Meaningful Deathscapes; Worldview minority cemeteries in Finland (MeDea)
Vähäkangas, A. (Project manager), Butters, M. (Participant), Krohn, H. M. (Participant), Kupari, H. (Participant), Pataricza, D. (Participant), Pataricza, D. (Participant) & Penttilä, M. (Participant)
01/09/2024 → 01/07/2028
Project: Research Council of Finland: Academy Project
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MeDea: Meaningful Deathscapes; Worldview minority cemeteries in Finland
Vähäkangas, A. (Principal Investigator), Butters, M. (Participant), Kupari, H. (Participant), Krohn, H. M. (Participant), Penttilä, M. (Participant) & Pataricza, D. (Participant)
01/09/2024 → 01/07/2028
Project: Research Council of Finland: Academy Project
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Buddhalaisuus
Pesonen, H. & Härkönen, M., 2025, Henkipuita ja tilanhoitoa: Uskonnot ympäristökriisien aikakaudella. Pesonen, H. & Kallinen, T. (eds.). Turku: Eetos ry, p. 47-64 18 p. (Eetos-julkaisuja ; no. 25).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
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Buddhism in Finland: From Kalmyks to engaged activism
Härkönen, M., 30 May 2025, Buddhism in the Nordic Countries. Borup, J., Härkönen, M., Jacobson, K. & Plank, K. (eds.). Abingdon: Routledge, p. 152-174 23 p. (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
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Buddhism in the Nordic Countries
Borup, J. (Editor), Härkönen, M. (Editor), Jacobsen, K. A. (Editor) & Plank, K. (Editor), 30 May 2025, 1 st edition ed. Abingdon: Routledge. 212 p. (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Scientific › peer-review
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Conclusion
Borup, J., Härkönen, M., Jacobsen, K. A. & Plank, K., 30 May 2025, Buddhism in the Nordic Countries. Borup, J., Härkönen, M., Jacobsen, K. A. & Plank, K. (eds.). Abingdon: Routledge, p. 202-206 5 p. (Routledge Critical Studies in Buddhism).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific
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Developing a methodological tool for exploring sense of safety in religious spaces
Pessi, A. B., Grönlund, H., Illman, R., Palmén, R., Paloniemi, M. A., Pauha, T. & Spännäri, J., 22 Apr 2025, In: Frontiers in Psychology. 16, 16 p., 1448951.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open AccessFile
Activities
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Esitelmät Mikael Agricola -seuran matkalla Ahvenenmaalle 20.–23.2025: Lemböten merenkulkijoiden kappeli ja Pyhän Olavin kultti eurooppalaisesta näkökulmasta; Py-hän Olavin pyhiinvaellukset; Finströmin kirkon alttarikaapin maalaus 10 neitsyestä; Ahvenmaan rovastikunta keskiajalla ja uuden ajan alussa, Ahvenenmaan lääninro-vasti Boëtius Murenius, Viikinkiaikakausi; Turun hiippakunnan ja Suomen rajat keskiajalla ja 1800-luvun alussa.
Knuutila, J. (Attendee)
20 May 2025 → 23 May 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Public Talks
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Journal of Contemporary Religion (Journal)
Grönlund, H. (Reviewer)
Feb 2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Peer review of manuscripts
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Mitä vanhin Kellon seurakunnallisesta elämästä todistava keskiaikainen asiakirja kertoo meille?
Knuutila, J. (Participant)
25 May 2025Activity: Other activity types › Types for other activities - Other
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Suuret oikeudenkäynnit yhteiskunnan kuvastimina
Knuutila, J. (Attendee)
21 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Public Talks
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Small Research Grants (SRG) on service-learning in Catholic higher education jury (Event)
Grönlund, H. (Expert member)
8 May 2025Activity: Membership types › Membership or other role in national/international committee, council, board
Prizes
Press/Media
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Suuret oikeudenkäynnit yhteiskunnan kuvastimina.
30/05/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Tutkija joi kahvia ruoka-avun saajien kanssa – he tuottivat teologiaa, jossa menestyjät ovat ulkokehällä
30/05/2025
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Mitä ihminen pelkää pelätessään kuolemaa? Auttaako uskonnollisuus tähän ahdistukseen?
15/04/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Suurkaupunkien nuoret ovat uskonnollisempia kuin maaseudulla asuvat ikätoverinsa
05/02/2025
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media