Auli Vähäkangas is professor in pastoral theology as well as vice dean of the Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki, Finland. She is the author of Christian Couples Coping with Childlessness: Narratives from Machame, Kilimajaro. Vähäkangas’ research has focused on those in the margins: HIV-positives and childless people in their communities. She has additionally done research on palliative care and on African feminist theology.