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Communication Studies
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About the research group
Communication Studies research group views communication as a human activity that enables interaction, keeps communities together, and creates a shared understanding. Communication is understood as a dynamic social phenomenon through which knowledge, emotions, and meanings are conveyed and constructed. We understand communication both as an organized and planned activity and as spontaneous activity typical of human beings. Changes in technology, environment, and culture form a relevant context for our research. The mission of Communication Studies is to provide reasoned views and solutions to social, cultural and economic issues from the perspective of communication. The values that guide our research are curiosity, independence, responsibility, and critical thinking. In the work of our research group, our teaching focus areas—Digital media, Organizational communication, and Interaction design—are closely interconnected. We are open to collaboration with companies, communities, and various research organisations. The contact persons for the Communication Studies research group are Professors Merja Koskela (for the period 1.8.2024–31.7.2027 Anne Laajalahti) and Tanja Sihvonen. The roots of the Communication Studies research group lie in Applied linguistics, Terminological research, and Technical communication.
The research group focuses particularly on the following themes:
- change of digital media environment
- artificial intelligence and algorithms
- users, agency, and technology
- financial discourses and meanings
- strategic orientation, sustainability, and ethics.
Latest updates
Research projects
| Project | Duration | Actors |
|---|---|---|
| Misleading Consumers | - | Marketing and Consumption Research, Communication studies, Economics, Public policy and governance, Cyber-Physical Systems |
| Multifaceted Ripple Effects and Limitations of AI-Human Interplay at Work, Business, and Society (SYNTHETICA) | - | Communication studies, Marketing and Communication |
| Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems (BUGGED) | - | Communication studies, Marketing and Communication, Digital Economy |
| Short videos as news sources for young people (Lyhytvideot nuorten uutislähteenä) | - | Marketing and Communication, Communication studies |
| Shifting Investment Cultures in Digital Spaces | - | Communication studies, Digital Economy, Marketing and Communication |
| Citizens as agents of change in decarbonizing suburban and rural housing (DECARBON-HOME) | - | Marketing and Communication, Marketing and Consumption Research, Communication studies |
| DISRUPTING THE MEDIA SCENE. Adopting emerging technologies as a vehicle for transforming the audience relationship and business models in journalistic media | - | InnoLab, Communication studies, Digital Economy, Marketing and Communication |
| Banks saving-related communication in the social media | - | Communication studies |
| RegeRa | - | Communication studies, Marketing and Communication |
| Conceptualizing Blockchains | - | Communication studies, Marketing and Communication |
Publications
Research group leaders
Kuva
Heidi Hirsto
Associate Professor (tenure track)
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Kuva
Merja Koskela
Dean
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication
Kuva
Anne Laajalahti
Senior Researcher
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Kuva
Niina Nissilä
University Lecturer
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Kuva
Rebekah Rousi
Associate Professor (tenure track)
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Kuva
Tanja Sihvonen
Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Research group members
Kristine Ask
Visiting Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
kristine.ask [at] uwasa.fi
Kirsi-Mari Cheas
Grant-Funded Researcher
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
kirsi-mari.cheas [at] uwasa.fi
Kuva
Maria Eronen-Valli
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Christina Gansel
Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
christina.gansel [at] uwasa.fi
Kuva
Cecilia Hjerppe
Doctoral Researcher
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
cecilia.hjerppe [at] uwasa.fi
Annikki Hyppönen
Doctoral Student
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
annikki.hypponen [at] uwasa.fi
Doctoral students
- Cecilia Hjerppe
- Aino Harinen
- Hanna Hietikko
- Marjo Honkaranta
- Annikki Hyppönen
- Suvi Isohella
- Pia Karasjärvi
- Mona Khattab
- Katja Lösönen
- Jarl Macalka
- Susan Mykrä
- Marjut Männistö
- Annu Perälä
- Joni Piispanen
- Anna Tikkala
- Zekun Ling
- Katriina Karvo