About me
D.Sc. (Admin.), Lic.Phil. (Geography)
I work as a Senior Research Fellow in the Urban and Regional Studies Group (Sente), where I lead its sub-team “Knowledge- and Skills-based Regional and Urban Development” at the Seinäjoki University Consortium.
My work focuses on understanding how and why regions evolve and thrive. My research interests cover a broad range of regional development themes, including agency in regional development, regional economic resilience, regional strategies and scenarios, innovation policy and practice, university–society interaction, regional opportunity spaces, and path development.
I conduct and lead research in these areas (e.g. supervising doctoral theses), while also staying connected to practical regional development through development projects (e.g. EU Structural Funds projects), particularly in the context of South Ostrobothnia.
I teach a master’s-level course “Expertise in Regional and Municipal Development” (HAL.KAJO.317) at Tampere University (Administrative Sciences). I also serve as Tampere University’s representative on the Management Board of the Seinäjoki University Consortium.
Project links
Research topics
Regional development, agency, resilience, regional strategies and scenarios, university-society interaction, regional opportunity spaces, regional path development
Research unit
Latest publications
Keskikokoisen korkeakoulukaupungin vetovoima ja laatu (Kevola) – Tapaus Seinäjoki
Kurikka, H., 2025, Tampereen yliopisto. 35 p. (Sente-julkaisuja; no. 37/2025)Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
Patterns of opportunity spaces and agency across regional contexts: Conditions and drivers for change
Grillitsch, M., Rekers, J., Asheim, B., Fitjar, R. D., Haus-Reve, S., Kolehmainen, J., Kurikka, H., Lundquist, K.-J., Martynovich, M., Monteilhet, S., Nielsen, H., Nilsson, M., Sopanen, S., Sotarauta, M. & Stihl, L., 2025, In: Environment and Planning A. 57, 2-3, p. 159-183Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Place leadership in the geography of opportunities: survival of small industrial localities when industrial giants fall
Sotarauta, M., Kurikka, H., Kolehmainen, J., Sopanen, S. & Moisio, S., 2025, In: REGIONAL STUDIES. 59, 1Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Small regions hosting large firms: when, how and why can local agency (not) shape regional development paths?
Stihl, L., Rekers, J. V., Nilsson, M., Kurikka, H. & Kolehmainen, J., 25 May 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Geografiska Annaler, Series B: Human Geography. 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Agency and economic change in regions: identifying routes to new path development using qualitative comparative analysis
Grillitsch, M., Sotarauta, M., Asheim, B., Fitjar, R. D., Haus-Reve, S., Kolehmainen, J., Kurikka, H., Lundquist, K.-J., Martynovich, M., Montelheit, S., Nielsen, H., Nilsson, M., Rekers, J., Sopanen, S. & Stihl, L., 2023, In: REGIONAL STUDIES. 57, 8, p. 1453-1468Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Change agency and path development in peripheral regions: from pulp production towards eco-industry in Lapland
Sotarauta, M., Kurikka, H. & Kolehmainen, J., 2023, In: European Planning Studies. 31, 2, p. 348-371 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Korkeakoulutus muuttoliikkeen ajurina: Keskikokoisten korkeakoulukaupunkien näkökulma
Kurikka, H. & Kolehmainen, J., 17 Nov 2023, In: Migration. 49, 2, p. 4-11 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional
Regional opportunity spaces – observations from Nordic regions
Kurikka, H., Kolehmainen, J., Sotarauta, M., Nielsen, H. & Nilsson, M., 2023, In: REGIONAL STUDIES. 57, 8, p. 1440-1452Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Alueet ahdingossa: Aluetaloudellinen resilienssi Suomessa
Kurikka, H., 2022, Tampere: Tampereen yliopisto. (Tampere University Dissertations - Tampereen yliopiston väitöskirjat; vol. 546)Research output: Book/Report › Doctoral thesis › Collection of Articles
Alueet ahdingossa – Aluetaloudellinen resilienssi Suomessa: Lectio praecursoria Tampereen yliopistossa 11.3.2022
Kurikka, H., 21 Jun 2022, In: Maaseutututkimus. 30, 1, p. 108-117 10 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment/debate › Scientific