Politics
The Politics Unit at Tampere University addresses political problems and questions from multiple angles. Such problems and questions include societal choices, cooperation and conflict that can be found in grassroots level activism, in political institutions and elections, between states and in wider international interaction. The problems and questions can moreover assume local, national or international dimensions. Frequently these levels are interrelated.
This complex, multilevel political environment for its part shapes interaction between people, as it does shape activism, and the operations and decision-making of various organisations and firms. Understanding, explaining and critically examining all this comprises the key tasks of research in politics.
The research of the Politics Unit has an accent on problem-driven work that seeks to involve stakeholders. New theoretical openings, critical enquiries and wide-ranging, careful empirical analyses are all part of this agenda.
Research subjects include themes such as:
- Energy and the environment
- professor Pami Aalto
- an example of a research project: 2IMATCH - Infrastructure/institutions match for resilient & just green electrification
- European integration and Finland’s neighbourhood
- professor Tapio Raunio
- Foreign policy and diplomacy
- professor Tuomas Forsberg
- International political economy
- university lecturer Anni Kangas
- an example of a research project: Assembling Postcapitalist International Political Economy (POSTCAPE)
- International order, systemic risks and governance
- professor Hiski Haukkala
- research director Hanna Ojanen
- an example of a research project: ENGAGE – Envisioning a New Governance Architecture for a Global Europe
- New modes of political participation
- professor Kaisa Herne
- research infrastructure: FIRIPO - Finnish Research Infrastructure for Public Opinion
- Peace, conflict and security
- external expert Juha Vuori
- an example of a research project: Security in China
- Societal structures and political thought
- professor Elina Kestilä-Kekkonen
- an example of a research project: EPIC – Education, Political Efficacy and Informed Citizenship
Examples of our research projects
The Unit hosts the degree programme in politics with a wide coverage of subjects. The bachelor’s programme combines the core areas of political science and international relations. In the master’s level studies the students choose studies in either political science or international relations.
The internationally recognised research profile and expertise of the Politics Unit is strongly present in the content of studies. The students will familiarize themselves with societal structures and political theory, elections and political systems, different modes of political participation, European integration, international order, foreign policy as well as issues of peace and war. Further specialization options draw upon the Unit’s strong research in areas such as political trust, energy and environmental politics, decision-making systems and security.
Studies of politics at Tampere University is interactive and flexible, and makes use of several techniques of learning. We encourage our students to be active in classes and promote research-based learning. In addition to understanding political agency and the structures shaping it, our students will develop prerequisites to become active agents seeking to shape the world. The students will moreover participate in the development of our study programmes and conduct different cooperative projects with the staff.
Our students will mature into academic experts in a highly international learning environment. Many will complement their studies by taking modules from other study programmes at Tampere University and participate in international student exchange programmes or take up internships abroad.
The politics students will learn several key working life skills during their studies. These include acquisition of data, analytical and critical thinking, problem definition and reporting, alongside political communication and interaction. They have prerequisites to act in a multicultural environment shaped by the need for sustainable development.
The Politics Unit has a long tradition of working with various stakeholders. In addition to academic research, we conduct projects in co-operation with the public sector, non-governmental organisations and companies. Several of our teachers and researchers also contribute to the society through media work, policy briefing and consultancy.
The student body is also a key partner of the Politics Unit.
Iltakoulu - The student association for the students of Political Science and International Relations at Tampere University
International co-operation
Internationalisation is inbuilt in a natural manner into the Politics curriculum and activities of the unit. The structure of the Degree Programme in Politics provides students with flexible opportunities to include a mobility period in their studies on both bachelor and master levels. Politics has a comprehensive list of international partners and we participate actively in various networks in our field.
The degree programme offers a significant number of studies in English, which enables hosting exchange students as well as supporting internationalisation at home.
Head of unit
Pedagogical coordinator
Professors
University lecturers and teachers
Postdoctoral research fellows, project researchers, research assistants
Doctoral Researchers
Doctoral Researchers
Aino Hakovirta
Doctoral researcher, political science
aino.hakovirta [at] tuni.fi
Aki Luoto
Doctoral researcher, political science
aki.luoto [at] tuni.fi
puh. +358 41 5377 855
Salla Mikkonen
Doctoral researcher, international relations
salla.mikkonen [at] tuni.fi
X (formerly Twitter): @salla_mikkonen
Katri Mäkinen-Rostedt
Doctoral researcher, international relations
katri.rostedt [at] tuni.fi
X (formerly Twitter): @katrielina
Ville Tynkkynen
Doctoral researcher, political science
mikko.vartto [at] tuni.fi (ville[dot]tynkkynen[at]tuni[dot]fi)
Mikko Vesterinen
Doctoral researcher, political science
mikko.vesterinen [at] tuni.fi
puh. +358 50 3594 060