In our research group, there are seniour lecturers in university pedagogogy and doctoral students. In addition, the members of teachers academy who work in Life Sceinces are a central part of the group.
Our research group does disciplinary specific reserach in following areas:
Henna Asikainen is a seniour researcher in this group. She has worked about 10 years in educational development at the University of Helsinki in different faculties but has been mostly concentrated on studies in Biological and Environmental Sciences. In 2014 she finished her PhD about successful learning and studying in Biosciences. Main contributions are in the field of assessment and promoting students’ learning and studying at the university. Henna is active in education development and research at national and international levels. Her research focuses on various areas such as assessment, students’ approaches to learning, academic emotions, psychological flexibility and student integration.
Email: henna.asikainen@helsinki.fi
Viivi Virtanen is senior lecturer in university pedagogy in the at University of Helsinki. Enthusiastic in developing assessment practices and themes involved. Her research interests are linked to learning and teaching in the biological and environmental sciences, in general. Main interests in assessment and doctoral education and post-doctoral careers. Research themes include also approaches to learning and teaching, misconceptions, conceptions of learning and teaching etc. Supervising also master students in biology teacher education.
Email: viivi.virtanen@helsinki.fi
Eeva Pyörälä is Senior Lecturer in University Pedagogy. She has worked for 26 years in educational development in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki and made a major contribution in curricula reforms and communication skills studies in medicine and in establishing the Teachers’ Academy of University at the University of Helsinki. She has been responsible for higher education courses in medicine and dentistry for nine years. Eeva is very active in medical education development and research at national and international levels. Her research focuses on mobile learning, communication skills, assessment, active learning methods, collaborative learning and qualitative research.
Email: eeva.pyorala@helsinki.fi
Justus Mutanen is a doctoral student in Life Science Education research group, and also does his research in cooperation with the research group of didactics in biology and sustainable development. In his research project, Justus develops new models for biology teacher education in the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. He is also a coordinator of the Centre for Bioscience Education BioPop.
Email: justus.mutanen@helsinki.fi
Jaanika Blomster is University Lecturer in Aquatic Sciences and has worked for over 10 years at the University of Helsinki teaching higher education courses in Marine Biology and Aquatic Sciences. Besides lecturing and teaching courses in laboratory and in the field, she has been involved in curriculum planning and has supervised a number of higher education students in their studies and diploma work. Jaanika is a member of the Teachers’ Academy of University at the University of Helsinki. She has carried out research on research-based teaching and on experiences of communality in a higher-education context. She is the chair of the Teaching Skills Evaluation Committee at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences and will be the director of BSc Program in Environmental Sciences in 2017-2020.
Nina Katajavuori is Senior Lecturer in University Pedagogy. She has worked for 16 years in educational development projects in the field of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki. She has made a major contribution in curricula reforms and in establishing competence-based curriculum in pharmacy. She is very active and enthusiastic in educational development projects and in fostering co-operation among teachers as well as active learning in curriculum. She has also been responsible for higher education courses. Her research focuses on teaching and learning, approaches to learning and teaching especially in pharmacy and life sciences, active learning methods, and qualitative research. She supervises also master and doctoral students in pharmacy.
Sara is a starting PhD student in Life Science Education reresrch group. Her reserach concentrates on the quality of assessment and different assessment methods as support student learning.
Jouko Rikkinen is a Professor of Botany at the Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences. Finnish Museum of Natural History Luomus (80 %) and Department of Biosciences (20 %), UH. Jouko has done a lot of work in development of teaching and learning and is currently a key developer of blended learning in biodiversity studies comprising Pinkka E-learning environment http://www.helsinki.fi/pinkka/english/index.htm
Sari is a senior researcher in the Mycorrhizal interactions group. Her work has focused on developing teaching and learning in microbiology.
Maijaliisa (Maikki) Erkkola is a University lecturer and Adjunct professor in nutrition, and a member of the Teachers’ Academy at the University of Helsinki. Her research interests include teaching and learning in nutrition. She has applied mentoring in the subject courses for Master's level students in nutrition. She also acts as a group facilitator in a peer-mentor group among university teachers. She wishes to encourage the natural curiosity of her students, understanding students as individuals and supporting their personal development alongside knowledge and skills.