Mirkka Lappalainen

Research Interests

- Early modern Sweden

- "Little ice age" and famines

- State building

- History of Swedish and Finnish nobility and noble families

- Biographical studies

- Legal history, history of criminality

CURRICULUM VITAE     

(January 2019)

Full name

Lappalainen, Mirkka Marjaana

Date and Place of Birth

November 26^th 1975, Helsinki, Finland

Nationality

Finnish

Current residence

Helsinki, Finland

Education and degrees awarded

Doctor of Philosophy, (History of Finland and the Nordic Countries), University of Helsinki   May 24^th 2005 (public examination of a dissertation Apr 9^th 2005)

Licentiate (History of Finland and Scandinavia ), University of Helsinki, Jun. 5^th  2001.

Master of Arts (History of Finland and Scandinavia ) University of Helsinki, Oct 20^th 1998.

Linguistic skills

Finnish (mother tongue), Swedish (fluent),  English (fluent), French (satisfactory), Latin

Current Position

University lecturer (Finnish and Nordic History, University of Helsinki) 2014 à

Director of the Bachelor’s Programme in History, 2017 à

Previous work experience

Postdoctoral Researcher (Finnish and Nordic History, University of Helsinki), 2009 - 2014

Assistant (Finnish and Nordic history, University of Helsinki), 2002-2009.

Acting assistant (History of Finland and Scandinavia), Department of History, University of Helsinki, 2001-2002.

Part-time Research Assistant (History of Criminality research project), Department of History, University of Helsinki, 1997-1999.

Awards, prizes and honours

Kanava- award for the book” Pohjoisen noidat”, 2018.

Vasamuseets vänners book prize (Sweden)  

For the book  “Det Nordiska Leijonet” (translation of “Pohjolan Leijona”), 2016.

Docent of the year, 2016. Helsingin yliopiston dosenttiyhdistys

Science book of the year 2014 award (Finland) 

for the book “Pohjolan Leijona”

Tieto-Finlandia non-fiction award 2014 for the book “Pohjolan Leijona”

State Award for Public Information (Finland), 2013.

The Finnish Association of Non-fiction Writer’ s Award (Tiedonjulkistamisen valtionpalkinto), 2012.

Lauri Jäntti Foundation’s Award for the book “Susimessu”, 2010.

The Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation’s Award, 2009.

Vasamuseets vänners book prize (Sweden)  

For the book  “Släkten, makten, staten”, 2008.

Science book of the year 2006 -award (Finland) 

for the book “Maailman painavin raha”,  2007.

Dissertation prize for “Suku, valta, suurvalta” (Kaarlo and Irma Koskimies Foundation, 4200 eur), University of Helsinki, 2005.

Honourable mention for “Suku, valta suurvalta” in the contest for “History book of the year 2005” (Finland).

Research Funding

Grant from the Finnish Cultural Foundation 1999, 2000, 2001.

Merits in teaching

Seminars, lecture series and other courses, student counselling, curriculum planning, tutoring, supervising of BA and MA thesis and doctoral thesis, (University of Helsinki, 2001 à)

Other academic merits

Opponent of the doctoral dissertation of Marko Hakanen, University of Jyväskylä, 2011.

Pre-examiner of the doctoral dissertation of Marko Hakanen, University of Jyväskylä, 2011.

Pre-examiner of the doctoral dissertation of Ulla Koskinen, University of Tampere, 2011.

Pre-examiner of the doctoral dissertation of Juha Joona, University of Lappland, 2018.

Referee for Scandinavian Journal of History (2005) and Historiallinen Aikakauskirja (2013), Journal of Historical Geography (2017)

Member of the Department Council (Department of History, University of Helsinki),

2003–2006, 2007–2009.

Member of the Department Council (Department of Philosophy, History, Culture and Art Studies, University of Helsinki), 2010–2013.

Member of the Faculty of Arts Research Committee 2010–2011.

Member of the Steering Group of Doctoral Programme in History and Cultural Heritage, University of Helsinki, 2018 à

Participated in “Koulutusohjelman johtajavalmennus” (training for directors of the degree programmes), University of Helsinki, 2018.

Member of the Scandinavian Committee of Finnish Historical Foundation.

Participated in the archaeologiocal excavations of the wreck of Kronan (1676) in Öland, Sweden (organized by Kalmar County Museum).

Societal impact of research

Numerous interviews in newspapers and magazines in Finland (for example Helsingin Sanomat, Aamulehti, Ilta-Sanomat, Suomen Kuvalehti, Kodin kuvalehti), interviews  and discussions in radio and TV, lectures and other public appearances (like book fairs, clubs, libraries)

Newspaper columnist (Helsingin Sanomat), 2007-2009

Book critic (Helsingin Sanomat)  2007 -