The world is constructed in social interaction, says Professor of Communication Studies Leena Mikkola

What are your main research interests?

I study interprofessional communication – that is, the social interaction that takes place among people who occupy different roles and represent different perspectives. I am interested in how identities and interpersonal relationships are constructed in these encounters, how the participants create meanings to knowledge and expertise, and how communication supports their well‑being. 

I have conducted research on workplace communication long time, including organisational hierarchies and leader–led relationships. The social services and healthcare is my primary research environment and has been central to my work for almost 30 years, beginning with my MA studies. In this sector, interprofessional communication encompasses communication among professionals from different fields as well as communication among client and professionals. 

What makes your research significant?

Our understanding of the world is constructed through social interaction. Our perception of the world emerges from our communication with other people.

A theoretical understanding of communication is important, as it enables us to understand people and the societies in which we live. If we are able to explain, for example, how aninterprofessional identity is constructed in interaction among a doctor and a psychologist, we can identify this same phenomenon in other contexts as well.

I am keen to conduct problem- and community-based research that helps people in their everyday lives. How we relate to one another is tremendously important. Interaction inherently carries an undercurrent of tension, and we inevitably have competing interests. For this reason, we need to find communication practices that allow us to not only navigate and manage our communication but also promote transformation. 

Ultimately, social interaction is about the meanings we create and whether we are able to share, negotiate and understand those meanings in the same way. It comes down to making differences and similarities visible and accepting our differences.

Where do you draw inspiration for your work as a professor?

If I had to choose a single task to carry out for the rest of my career, it would be supervising, especially the supervision of PhD theses. I find it immensely inspiring. PhD students have the opportunity to immerse themselves fully in their chosen topic. As their supervisor, I am able to explore that topic with them, witness moments of insight, and continue learning alongside them. Discussions with PhD students are empowering. At the same time, it is equally important to be for them when they experience setbacks, such as the rejection of a grant proposal or a research paper. 

I also draw inspiration from my wise colleagues in the research group of Communication Studies and from the collaborators with whom I conduct interdisciplinary research. I have worked, for example, with researchers who specialise in nursing science or social work research as well as with physicians and social psychologists. I believe that interprofessionalism should be examined from an interprofessional perspective, so that you are personally engaged in the very process you are studying. When we work with researchers from different disciplines, we constantly negotiate meanings and strive to develop a shared understanding. 

Photo: Jonne Renvall / Tampere University

What would you want to study next and why?

I would like to undertake my own theoretical study on the interconnections between identity and interactional relationships. I apply this theme during my interprofessional communication studies all the time, but, at some point, I  would like to concentrate specifically on a theoretical inquiry into how we construct both a relationship and our own identity while interacting with others. 

A new research direction for me is the research project titled Citizens’ behaviour change towards sustainable energy transition through social interactions (CETSI), which is funded by the Research Council of Finland and was launched in January 2026. The project develops flexible energy solutions for the future. I am in charge of a work package that develops communication practices that strengthen citizens’ energy literacy and resilience. I also collaborate in an international project on resilience communication within the social services and healthcare sector, which also began early this year. 

What do you do in your free time?

I enjoy taking long walks with my dog on the weekends. We often wander through the woods for hours. This has become an important routine that helps me unwind after the working week. 

I also do sports, such as dance and swim, both in icy water and in the pool. Exercise keeps me in good shape and leaves me feeling refreshed and re-energised. Theatre and live music nourish my soul. I enjoy all genres of music, almost anything from classical to indie pop. 

Welcome to the inaugural lectures of the new professors on 11 May 2026