Tiina Airaksinen

Description of research and teaching

I serve as the Vice Dean for Education at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Helsinki, and work as a Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies. My academic background lies in Asian Studies, which I approach through an interdisciplinary lens. My research and teaching explore themes such as identity, imperialism, nationalism, migration, women’s agency, and intercultural encounters. In our latest project on Asian Migration in Finland and Japan we reflect Asian migration, identities and agency in Finland and in Japan.

In addition to area studies, I am deeply interested in higher education and pedagogical development. My current work focuses on pedagogical leadership, online teaching, and digital pedagogy — examining how technology and leadership practices can enrich learning in universities.

Curriculum vitae

2/2023- Vice Dean, Academic Affairs

2023-2024 Teachers' Academy, Chair of the Board

2022- 2/2023 Director, Department of Cultures

2022- Senior Lecturer in Asian Studies

2019-  Fellow of the Teachers' Academy, University of Helsinki

2015-2016 Head of Studies, Big Wheel education reform

2015   Docent in Asian Studies

2015   Teacher’s Pedagogical Qualification (University Pedagogy, 60cr, University of Helsinki)

2007-2017 Asia-Pacific Studies, discipline co-ordinator

2007-2022 University Lecturer in Asian Studies

2003 Doctor of Philosophy, School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London