Ilmari Puhakka

I work as a researcher in the Faculty of Education and Culture. My research focuses on well-being and learning at work and in work situations (e.g., competence development during work, multilocational work, basic psychological needs satisfaction), as well as in higher education context. We utilize longitudinal designs, physiological measures (electrodermal activity), and experience sampling methods (LearningTracker) among others, in addition to surveys and interviews.

My profile at researchportal.tuni.fi: Ilmari Puhakka

Research group web pages: Professional Growth and Learning research group

Workplace learning, well-being at work, hybrid work, basic psychological need satisfaction, emotions, psychophysiological measurement

Peer-reviewed publications

Nokelainen, P., Kaarakka, T., Hirvonen, J., Puhakka, I., Kangaslampi R., Ali-Löytty, S., Vuorenpää, V., & Viro, E. (2025). Self-efficacy, emotions and mathematics achievement: Longitudinal effects of flipped learning. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 41, e70148. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcal.70148

Lehtonen, E., Rintala, H., Puhakka, I., & Nokelainen, P. (2025). A typology of approaches to professional learning and development in post-pandemic multi-location knowledge work in the technology sector. Studies in Continuing Education. https://doi.org/10.1080/0158037X.2025.2576258

Puhakka, I., Nokelainen, P., & Lehtonen, E. (2025). Remote work intensity in knowledge work: Associations with informal workplace learning, basic psychological needs satisfaction, job satisfaction, and turnover intention. Vocations and Learning, 18, 23.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-025-09377-2

Postareff, L., Parpala, A., Nokelainen, P., Kosenkranius, M., Puhakka, I., Pylväs, L., Rintala, H., Räisänen, M., & Wallin, A. (2025). An intervention to support higher education teachers’ teaching processes and well-being: Protocol for an intervention study design. JMIR Research Protocols, 14, e65428. https://doi.org/10.2196/65428

Puhakka, I., Niemivirta, M., Postareff, L., & Nokelainen, P. (2025). A person-centered study of construction sector employees’ goal orientation profiles and their connections to approaches to learning, self-efficacy, and work engagement. Vocations and Learning, 18, 4. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-025-09362-9

Saari, U. A., Ojasoo, M., Venesaar, U., Puhakka, I., Nokelainen, P., & Mäkinen, S. J. (2024). Assessing engineering students’ attitudes towards corporate social responsibility principles. European Journal of Engineering Education, 49(3), 492–513. https://doi.org/10.1080/03043797.2023.2299731

Lehtonen, E., Nokelainen, P., Rintala, H., & Puhakka, I. (2022). Thriving or surviving at work: How workplace learning opportunities and subjective career success are connected with job satisfaction and turnover intention? Journal of Workplace Learning, 34(1), 88–109. https://doi.org/10.1108/JWL-12-2020-0184

Puhakka, I., Nokelainen, P., & Pylväs, L. (2021). Learning or leaving? Individual and environmental factors related to job satisfaction and turnover intention. Vocations and Learning, 14(3), 481–510. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12186-021-09275-3

Puhakka, I., & Peltola, M. J. (2020). Salivary cortisol reactivity to psychological stressors in infancy: A meta-analysis. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 115, 104603. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104603 

Reports and other publications

Lehtonen, E., Puhakka, I., & Nokelainen, P. (2024). Monipaikkainen työ haastaa oppimista ja yhteenkuuluvuuden tunnetta. Tampereen kauppakamarilehti, 54(2), 22. Link

Lehtonen, E., Puhakka, I., & Nokelainen, P. (2023). Guide for interaction work situations in multilocational work (In Finnish). Tampere University. Link   

Puhakka, I., Lehtonen, E., & Nokelainen, P. (2023). Hybrid work of experts (In Finnish). Final report. Tampere University. Link   

Postareff, L., Rintala, H., Puhakka, I., Veermans, M., Lehtonen, L., Ryymin, E., & Nokelainen, P. (2022). Continuous opportunities for learning at work (In Finnish). Final report. Häme University of Applied Sciences. Link  

Lehtonen, E., Puhakka I., Pylväs, L., & Nokelainen, P. (2021). Emotions and development of expertise in the workplace (In Finnish). Final report. Tampere University. Link