

About me
I'm a science and technology studies (STS) and gender studies scholar. I'm the PI of the project Gendered Chronic Disease, Embodied Differences and Biomedical Knowledge (GenDis), funded by the Academy of Finland and Kone Foundation. My Academy Research Fellow's project (2018-2023) explored cultural debates about vaccines and changing ideas of immunity and risk.
Research topics
chronic pain, gendered chronic illness, endometriosis
vaccine debates, vaccines in culture
population genetics, genetic ancestry tests, ancient DNA, evolutionary theories in culture
bodies, materiality, affect, narrative
Research fields
Science and Technology Studies
Gender Studies
Cultural Studies
Research career
Associate Professor, TaSTI, Tampere University (2023-)
Academy Research Fellow, Tampere University (2018-2023)
Core Fellow, Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies (2016-2018)
Docent in Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (since 2015)
Academy of Finland Postdoctoral Researcher (2012-2016)
University Lecturer, Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (2011-2012)
Kone Foundation Postdoctoral Researcher (2011)
PhD, Gender Studies, University of Helsinki (2010)
Selected publications
Latest publications
Chronic pain across clinical settings: the changing understanding of pain and its treatment in endometriosis
Temmes, M., Helosvuori, E. & Oikkonen, V., 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: BIOSOCIETIES.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Entangled Illnesses: Embodied Experiences of Managing Multimorbidity
Oikkonen, V., Helosvuori, E., Ganesh, A. & Rokkonen, L. A., 2025, In: Sociology of Health and Illness. 47, 2, e70006.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Hormones, culture and puberty: How clinicians (don't) see gender in persistent pediatric pain
Alava, H. & Oikkonen, V., 5 Dec 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Social Science & Medicine. 390, 118856.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Menopause and Endometriosis: Tracing the Entanglements of Hormones, Ageing and Gendered Chronic Illness
Oikkonen, V., Temmes, M. & Helosvuori, E., 21 Sept 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: NORA - Nordic Journal of Feminist and Gender Research. 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Navigating Pharmaceutical Effects: Experiences of Hormonal Medications in Endometriosis
Oikkonen, V., 5 Dec 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Science & Technology Studies. 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Self-tracking in endometriosis: Evolving expectations around a gynecological app developed by a Finnish patient organization
Oikkonen, V. & Temmes, M., 14 Jun 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: SOCIAL STUDIES OF SCIENCE. 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Anticipating immunity: Vaccine-induced immunity and vaccine safety in the Finnish news coverage of COVID-19 vaccines
Oikkonen, V., 15 Mar 2024, In: Medicine Anthropology Theory. 11, 1, p. 1-30Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Living with acuteness in chronic illness: The temporal underpinnings of endometriosis
Oikkonen, V. & Helosvuori, E., 28 Dec 2024, (E-pub ahead of print) In: MEDICAL ANTHROPOLOGY QUARTERLY.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Past pathogens and precarious futures
Oikkonen, V., 2 Jul 2024, Critical Perspectives on Ancient DNA. Strand, D., Källén, A. & Mulcare, C. (eds.). MIT PRESS, 24 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › Scientific › peer-review
Sensing pain: Embodied knowledge in endometriosis
Helosvuori, E. & Oikkonen, V., 2024, In: Health. 28, 6, p. 937-952 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review