About

Who am I?

I’m a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki, living in Tampere. In my research, I explore physical education, physical activities and exercise, the body and materiality in 19th-century England. Swimming, cycling, and gymnastics are at the core of my dissertation. I’m grateful that the Finnish Cultural Foundation awarded me a four-year grant for my research.

Since January 2020, I have been producing my own history-themed Finnish podcast called Menneisyyden Jäljillä (On the Track of the Past) that aims at popularising research and proving why knowing our past is crucial at present. For the years 2023–2027, I’m pleased to be a part of the ELBOW research team, concentrating on research communications.

“I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.”

— Roald Dahl

Approach to life

I believe in doing always one’s best and learning every day something new. I believe the past is not behind us but rather next to us in the present. Understanding others and ourselves through our past is something I value – history should teach us empathy for others.

Despite the fact that the world is far from ready, I am an eternal idealist. As has been said by Adorno & Horkheimer, ”I do not believe that things will turn out well, but the idea that they might is of decisive importance”.