Johanna Vilppola

Johanna Vilppola is a principal researcher specialising in crisis work, trauma, and psychosocial safety across individual, community and societal levels. Her expertise spans acute and prolonged crises, trauma-informed and trauma-sensitive approaches, mental health and substance abuse nursing, as well as work well-being and professional resilience. She has extensive experience in both national and regional development projects, particularly those aimed at strengthening trauma-informed practices, crisis preparedness and human-centred safety competencies.

Contact Information

• Email: johanna.vilppola [at] tuni.fi
• Phone: +358 50 438 9456
• Affiliation: Tampere University of Applied Sciences (TAMK), Social Services and Health Care Unit

Current Position

• Principal Researcher, Research Group SAFE (Safety and Security, Resilience, Crisis and Trauma)

Research and Project Expertise

Johanna’s research focuses on crisis situations, trauma processes and trauma-informed approach in both acute and long-term contexts. Her work examines safety, resilience and psychosocial support in emergency conditions as well as the development of professional competencies in trauma-informed approach. She is part of TAMK’s Safety and Security Team.

Ongoing Research

• Competence, impact and effectiveness of acute crisis intervention as perceived by professionals in Finland
  Implementation period: 01/2026–05/2027

Selected Project Expertise

• Trauma-Informed Approach (ESR+, 2024–2026)
• Vanuva -Project (ESR+, 2021–2023)
• Tokasa -Project – Developing bilingual teaching and studying (Ministry of Education and Culture)

Core Competences

• Ph.D. (Education)
• Work Supervisor
• Registered Psychiatric Nurse
• Specialisation in Crisis and Emergency Conditions
• Crisis and Trauma Specialist

Johanna’s expertise includes mental and social safety at multiple levels—individuals, communities and society—before, during and after crises. She has worked with diverse crisis contexts such as suicides, violent incidents, major accidents, acute emergencies and prolonged psychosocial stressors.

Research Environment

Johanna works within SAFE, the research group for Safety and Security, Resilience, Crisis and Trauma at TAMK’s Social Services and Health Care Unit. The group focuses on strengthening crisis preparedness, trauma-informed practices and psychosocial support through applied research and multidisciplinary collaboration.