Personal profile
Description of research and teaching
I am a scholar of religion, but my research is characterized by interdisciplinarity approach that combines theoretical insights and methodological tools from both social sciences and humanities. In addition to religiosity, my research interests include such topics as nationalism and migration. My areas of expertise are Islam and contemporary Paganism in Russia. In my current research, I focus on the governance and the representation of Islam in contemporary Russia. In addition, I participate in the project “Migration, Shadow Economy and Parallel Legal Orders in Russia”. I am co-editing Aleksanteri Insight and the Religion and Spirituality in Russia & Eastern Europe. I hold the title of Docent in Study of Religions at the University of Helsinki.
Education information
Ph.D.Fields of Science
- 6160 Other humanities
- Russian and Eurasian Studies
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Migrant Workers in Russia: Global Challenges of the Shadow Economy in Societal Transformation
Heusala, A.-L. (Editor) & Aitamurto, K. (Editor), 2017, Abingdon, Oxon : Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group. 162 p. (Routledge Contemporary Russia and Eastern Europe Series)Research output: Book/Report › Anthology or special issue › Scientific › peer-review
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Paganism, Traditionalism, Nationalism: Narratives of Russian Rodnoverie
Aitamurto, K., 2016, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge - Taylor & Francis Group. 222 p. (Studies in Contemporary Russia)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Scientific › peer-review
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Protected and Controlled: Islam and ‘Desecularisation from Above’ in Russia
Aitamurto, K., 2016, In: Europe - Asia Studies. 68, 1, p. 182-202 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
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The Study of Paganism and Wicca: A Review Essay
Aitamurto, K. & Simpson, S., 2016, The Oxford Handbook of New Religious Movements. Lewis, J. R. & Tollefsen, I. B. (eds.). New York: Oxford University Press USA, Vol. II. p. 482-494 13 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific
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Russian Rodnoverie: Revisiting Eastern and Western Paganisms
Aitamurto, K., 2015, The Changing World Religion Map: Sacred Places, Identities, Practices and Politics. Brunn, S. D. (ed.). Springer, Vol. 3. p. 1655-1671Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific
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MUSCOLWAR: "Jihad Against the Decadent West” or “Another Russian Colonial War”? Discussions about the War in Ukraine within Russian Muslims
Aitamurto, K. (Project manager) & Mukhametov, R. (Participant)
01/01/2025 → 31/12/2027
Project: Research project
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MISHA: Migration, Shadow Economy and Parallel Legal Orders in Russia
Heusala, A.-L. (Principal Investigator), Aitamurto, K. (Participant), Urinboyev, R. (Participant) & Eraliev, S. (Participant)
01/01/2017 → 31/12/2021
Project: Research project
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Hate Speech and Populist Othering: Through the race, age, gender looking glass (RAGE)
Enache, A. (Participant), Saarinen, A. (Project manager), Puurunen, H. (Participant), Aitamurto, K. (Participant) & Markkanen, A. (Participant)
01/12/2013 → 30/04/2015
Project: Research project
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Hate Speech and Populist Othering: Through the race, age, gender looking glass (RAGE)
Saarinen, A. (Project manager), Aitamurto, K. (Participant), Puurunen, H. (Participant), Markkanen, A. (Participant) & Enache, A. (Participant)
01/02/2013 → 30/04/2015
Project: Research project
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Finnish Centre of Excellence in Russian Studies – Choices of Russian Modernisation
Kivinen, M. (Project manager), Autio-Sarasmo, S. (Other), Aalto, P. K. (Principal Investigator), Forsberg, T. (Principal Investigator), Gel'man, V. (Principal Investigator), Aitamurto, K. (Participant), Ekonen, K. (Participant), Fava, V. (Participant), Granberg, L. (Participant), Hast, S. (Participant), Heusala, A.-L. (Participant), Huttunen, T. (Participant), Kahla, E. (Participant), Kangaspuro, M. (Participant), Kansikas, S. (Participant), Karhunen, P. (Participant), Khmelnitskaya, M. (Participant), Kulmala, M. (Participant), Lassila, J. (Participant), Lehtisaari, K. (Participant), Lonkila, M. (Participant), Lowry, A. (Participant), Miklóssy, K. (Participant), Mustajoki, A. S. (Participant), Nikula, J. (Participant), Oittinen, V. (Participant), Palonkorpi, M. (Participant), Pietiläinen, J. (Participant), Saarinen, A. (Participant), Smith, H. (Participant), Turoma, S. (Participant) & Tynkkynen, V.-P. (Participant)
01/01/2012 → 31/12/2017
Project: Research project
Activities
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The Selective Securitization of Slavic Paganism in Russia
Aitamurto, K. (Speaker)
15 May 2026Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Aleksanteri Conference 2025
Aitamurto, K. (Attendee)
23 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
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Aleksanteri Conference 2025
Aitamurto, K. (Attendee)
23 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Public Talks
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The Echo of Ancestors: The Reemergence and Claims of 'Ancient' Religions in Europe
Aitamurto, K. (Attendee)
3 Apr 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
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Seminar: The Impact of Russian-Ukrainian War on Muslims in Russia and in the Post-Soviet Area
Aitamurto, K. (Attendee) & Mukhametov, R. (Member of organizing committee)
20 Oct 2025 → 21 Oct 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Organisation and participation in conferences, workshops, courses, seminars
Press/Media
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Keskustelijana radio-ohjelmassa: Putinismi ja venäläinen valheen todellisuus
11/08/2022
1 item of Media coverage
Press/Media: Press / Media
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