Communication Studies

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Viestintätieteet tutkimusryhmän kuva

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

Publications

Publication year Publication Authors
2025 Guilt and innocence – Emotional discourses in online discussions on climate change and housing Salmela, Eveliina; Koskela, Merja; Syrjälä, Henna; Kääntä, Liisa
2025 Lopetetaan turha(uttava) tekoälyhype Pelevina, Nuppu-Maija; Mervaala, Erkki
2025 Arkista informaatiohäirintää vai luovaa ilmaisua? Tehostetut videosisällöt ja syväväärennökset TikTokissa Sihvonen, Tanja
2025 Video Hakola, Outi; Pönni, Antti; Sihvonen, Tanja
2025 Voihan video! Hakola, Outi; Pönni, Antti; Sihvonen, Tanja
2025 ”Mitä oot mieltä tästä?”: Ylen journalistiset sisällöt videojakoalusta Tiktokissa Sihvonen, Tanja; Pelevina, Nuppu; Manninen, Ville; Waaramaa, Teija; Salojärvi, Virpi; Kääntä, Liisa
2025 Experience of Gender Among Professionals in Finnish IT Companies Kronqvist, Aila; Rousi, Rebekah
2025 Emotion AI in Workplace Environments: A Case Study Piispanen, Joni-Roy; Rousi, Rebekah
2025 Vaikuttajapropagandaa: Katsaus somevaikuttajakulttuurin katvealueelle Pelevina, Nuppu-Maija
2025 RoboCup Soccer Autonomy Uprising: How Crowds, Referees, and Humanoid Robots Are Redefining the Future of Human-Robot Interaction Sanfilippo, Filippo; Wiley, Timothy; Rousi, Rebekah

Research group leaders

Research group members

Markku Ihonen

Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
markku.ihonen [at] uwasa.fi

Anne Kankaanranta

Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
anne.kankaanranta [at] uwasa.fi
Kuva
Katriina Karvo

Katriina Karvo

Doctoral Researcher
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
katriina.karvo [at] uwasa.fi

Andreas Kelletat

Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
andreas.kelletat [at] uwasa.fi

Marja-Liisa Kuronen

Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
marja-liisa.kuronen [at] uwasa.fi

Tuula Laakkonen

Adjunct Professor
University of Vaasa > School of Marketing and Communication > Communication Studies
Sähköposti
tuula.laakkonen [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