About me
I am a human geographer with extensive experience in interdisciplinary research and collaboration, as well as university-level teaching. I got my PhD in 2015. I have worked at the University of Oulu, University of Turku, Aalborg University (Denmark), University of Lapland, and Tampere University.
My current research focuses on empathetic and decolonizing pedagogy, arts-based methods, and climate mobilities (climate change and forced migrations).
Previously, I have also studied discourses of mass tourism, the use of natural force rhetoric in local media on the Finnish-Russian border (in the context of refugees and tourism), and suburban-conscious urban development.
I am also interested in issues of climate justice, dialogical approaches, and intergenerational relations.
Project links
Research fields
Geography, social sciences, tourism studies, interdisciplinary research
Latest publications
Resisting climate apartheid: co-creative unlearning of climate-changed geographies
Kallio, K. P., Häkli, J., Vainikka, V. & Tervaharju, T.-M., Oct 2026, In: Geoforum. 175, 104748.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Unlearning through art: Developing decolonising and empathic pedagogies in climate mobilities education
Kallio, K. P., Vainikka, V. & Häkli, J., May 2026, In: Childhood. 33, 2, p. 170-191 22 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
(Un)Learning to Live Together in the Climate-Changed World: Young People's Lived Planetary Citizenship
Kallio, K. P., Bowman, B. & Vainikka, V., Dec 2025, In: Youth and Globalization. 7, 2, p. 203-235 33 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Critical reflections on mass tourism and empathy in the works of a Finnish artist
Vainikka, V. & Andrews, H., Mar 2025, In: Tourist Studies. 25, 1, p. 98-117Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Syrjivästä siirtymästä reiluun kestävyysmurrokseen: Suomen Kulttuurirahaston Argumenta-hanke Kestävyysmurroksen marginaalit
Mustonen, A., Salmivuori, E., Tervaharju, T.-M., Armila, P., Häyrynen, S., Kallio, K. P., Kuusiola, T., Laihonen, M., Lyytimäki, J., Salonen, A. O., Vainikka, V. & Valkonen, J., 2025, Itä-Suomen yliopisto. 56 p.Research output: Book/Report › Commissioned report
What is 'mass tourism'? And what's the problem?
Vainikka, V., 6 Oct 2025, Tourism's Horizon: Travel for the Millions. Butcher, J. (ed.). Goodfellow Publishers Ltd, p. 173-177 5 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Professional
Geopolitics of mobile masses: refugee and tourist metaphors in Finnish-Russian bordertown media
Vainikka, V., Vainikka, J. T. & Prokkola, E.-K., 2024, In: Tourism Geographies. 26, 5, p. 735-754 20 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Kaksi näkökulmaa ympäristökysymyksiin lastenkirjallisuudessa
Translated title of the contribution :Two approaches to the environmental issues in children's literature Research output: Contribution to journal › Book/Film/Article review › Scientific
Suomalaiset pakettimatkoilla, missä tutkimus?
Vainikka, V., 3 May 2024, In: Vähäisiä lisiä.Research output: Contribution to journal › Other online publication › General public
Terveisiä Irlannin IGC:stä
Vainikka, V., 15 Dec 2024, In: Terra. 136, 4, p. 220-221 2 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Professional