About me
I am a member of Child Politics research group of ECEPP. My main research interests include early childhood education and care (ECEC) policies and socio-spatial segregation. My doctoral dissertation focused on barriers of access to ECEC in the context of universal ECEC system in Finland.
Responsibilities
Currently I work in two research projects:
TAR project examines the effectiveness of the state’s needs-based funding to promote educational equality and equity in early childhood education, pre-primary and primary education.
WISEG research consortium investigates the segregation of workforce instability in early childhood education and care (ECEC) in Finland. We explore the interconnections of educator shortage, turnover, and volatility—that is, workforce instability—which, as a combination, may contribute to inequalities between children and families attending ECEC in different areas.
Previously I have worked in these research projects:
Research topics
- Segregation of early childhood education and care
- Early childhood education policies and politics
- Relational space and place
Latest publications
Access to universal early childhood education and care in Finland: A relational approach
Fjällström, S., 16 Apr 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Barriers of Access to Early Childhood Education and Care in a Universal Education System: A Relational Approach
Fjällström, S., 2025, Tampere: Tampere University. (Tampere University Dissertations - Tampereen yliopiston väitöskirjat; vol. 1380)Research output: Book/Report › Doctoral thesis › Collection of Articles
Neighborhood-based factors predicting attendance of early childhood education and care in a universal system: A case of Finland
Fjällström, S., Paananen, M. & Karila, K., 2024, In: Scandinavian Journal of Educational Research. 68, 7, p. 1473–1487Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Eriytyvä varhaiskasvatus? Erot yksityisten ja julkisten päiväkotien lähialueissa
Ruutiainen, V., Paananen, M. & Fjällström, S., 18 Dec 2023, In: Kasvatus. 54, 5, p. 434–449Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Imaginaries of ECEC: A comparison of policies of access in early childhood education in Brazil, Finland, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal, and Serbia
Paananen, M., Centeno, V. G., Fjällström, S., Bhattarai, D. P., Jovanović, G., Madureira Ferreira, J., Millei, Z., Rosa Ribeiro, C., Paakkari, A., Sadat Sajjadieh, N., Tholchah, M. & Varpanen, J., 15 Oct 2023, In: Journal of Early Childhood Education Research. 12, 3, p. 145-180 36 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Access to Early Childhood Education (Finland)
Fjällström, S., Paananen, M. & Karila, K., 2022, Bloomsbury Education and Childhood Studies . Kauko, J. & Waniganayake, M. (eds.). Bloomsbury Academic, (Bloomsbury Education and Childhood Studies).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Erilaistuvat ja samanlaistuvat kunnat lapsiperheiden palveluympäristöinä
Karila, K., Alasuutari, M., Fjällström, S. & Ruutiainen, V., 2022, Lastenhoidon ja varhaiskasvatuksen monet polut: Lasten, perheiden ja politiikan näkökulmia. Eerola , P., Repo, K., Alasuutari , M., Karila , K. & Lammi-Taskula , J. (eds.). Gaudeamus, p. 31-49Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Vanhempien ja palveluntarjoajien välisen annetun ja ansaitun luottamuksen rakentuminen
Siippainen, A., Fjällström, S., Karila, K., Paananen, M. & Repo, K., Mar 2022, Lastenhoidon ja varhaiskasvatuksen monet polut: Lasten, perheiden ja politiikan näkökulmia. Eerola , P., Repo, K., Alasuutari, M., Karila , K. & Lammi-Taskula , J. (eds.). Gaudeamus, p. 111-132Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
A matter of universalism? Rationalities of access in Finnish early childhood education and care
Fjällström, S., Karila, K. & Paananen, M., 1 Oct 2020, In: Nordic journal of studies in educational policy. 6, 3, p. 207-218Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Paikallisuus, vanhemmat ja varhaiskasvatusmahdollisuudet : Tarinoita kunnan ja pienten lasten vanhempien kohtaamisista
Karila, K., Siippainen, A., Repo, K., Paananen, M. & Fjällström, S., 2020, In: Focus Localis. 48, 1, p. 24-39Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review