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Communication Studies

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.

Our research centers 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.

An important part of the research group are doctoral researchers who study at the University of Vaasa doctoral programme. We are constantly looking for talented and motivated people interested in communication research, both as doctoral students and for various project assignments. 

We are open to collaboration with companies, communities, and various research organizations. 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.

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Publications

Publications in SOLECRIS research database
VAKKI Publications

Research projects

SYNTHETICA fosters discussion about the possibilities of artificial intelligence

BUGGED explores the experience of privacy and ethics on social media

Examining the role of digital spaces in shaping investment culture
Project Duration Funders
Multifaceted Ripple Effects and Limitations of AI-Human Interplay at Work, Business, and Society (SYNTHETICA) - Research Council of Finland
Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems (BUGGED) - Research Council of Finland
Short videos as news sources for young people (Lyhytvideot nuorten uutislähteenä) - Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö
Shifting Investment Cultures in Digital Spaces - Research Council of Finland
Citizens as agents of change in decarbonizing suburban and rural housing (DECARBON-HOME) - Research Council of Finland, Suomen Akatemian strategisen tutkimuksen neuvosto (STN)
DISRUPTING THE MEDIA SCENE. Adopting emerging technologies as a vehicle for transforming the audience relationship and business models in journalistic media - Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö
Banks saving-related communication in the social media - Vaasan Aktia-säätiö
RegeRa - Vaasan Aktia-säätiö, Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, Letterstedtska föreningen
Conceptualizing Blockchains - Vaasan Aktia-säätiö, Liikesivistysrahasto, OP-ryhmän tutkimussäätiö, Pörssisäätiö
Talking Machines – Electronic voice and the interpretation of emotions and self-understanding in human–machine communication 1960–2020 - Koneen säätiö

Research group members

Leader of the research group: Merja Koskela (for the period 1.8.2024–31.7.2027 Anne Laajalahti)
Head of subject: Tanja Sihvonen
Programme manager: Heidi Hirsto (Multidisciplinary Master's Programme in Communication, Master of Arts)
Programme manager: Rebekah Rousi (Technical Communication, Master of Arts)
Programme manager: Niina Nissilä (Communication Studies, Bachelor of Arts)

Professors

Tanja Sihvonen

Tanja Sihvonen

Professor
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498269
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Merja Koskela

Merja Koskela

Dean
School of Marketing and Communication
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498353
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Rebekah Rousi

Rebekah Rousi

Associate Professor (tenure track)
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498627
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Heidi Hirsto

Heidi Hirsto

Associate Professor
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498260
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Tomi Laapotti

Tomi Laapotti

Assistant Professor (tenure track)
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498732
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Professors of practise

Elina Melgin

Elina Melgin

Professor of Practise
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498329
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Other research group members

Kristine Ask

Kristine Ask

Visiting Professor
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Kirsi-Mari Cheas

Kirsi-Mari Cheas

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Maria Eronen-Valli

Maria Eronen-Valli

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498624
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Cecilia Hjerppe

Cecilia Hjerppe

Doctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Annikki Hyppönen

Annikki Hyppönen

Doctoral Student
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
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Anne Laajalahti

Anne Laajalahti

Senior Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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+358294498538
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Sebastian Laitila

Sebastian Laitila

University Teacher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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+358294498580
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Tommi Lehtonen

Tommi Lehtonen

Research Director
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498379
Fabriikki F331
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Ella Lillqvist

Ella Lillqvist

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498655
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Heidi Mikkola

Heidi Mikkola

Project Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
+358294498581
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Niina Nissilä

Niina Nissilä

University Lecturer
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498394
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Katey O’Sullivan

Katey O’Sullivan

Trainee
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Nuppu-Maija Pelevina

Nuppu-Maija Pelevina

Project Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
+358294498449
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Krista Penttilä

Krista Penttilä

Teaching Assistant
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Joni Piispanen

Joni Piispanen

Doctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498546
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Merja Porttikivi

Merja Porttikivi

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498705
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Satu Rantakokko

Satu Rantakokko

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498788
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Eveliina Salmela

Eveliina Salmela

University Teacher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498530
Ankkuri 1. floor
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Virpi Salojärvi

Virpi Salojärvi

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498405
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Katriina Tikkala

Katriina Tikkala

Doctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Eliisa Vainikka

Eliisa Vainikka

University Lecturer
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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+358294498362
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Ville Vakkuri

Ville Vakkuri

Postdoctoral Researcher
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498749
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Teija Waaramaa

Teija Waaramaa

University Lecturer
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi
+358294498327
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Johanna Ylipulli

Johanna Ylipulli

Associate Professor (tenure track)
School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies
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Emerita professor

Anita Nuopponen

Anita Nuopponen

Adjunct Professor
School of Technology and Innovations, Computer Science
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Fabriikki F234
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Doctoral researchers

Cecilia Hjerppe
Marjo Honkaranta
Annikki Hyppönen
Suvi Isohella
Pia Karasjärvi
Mona Khattab
Katja Lösönen

Jarl Macalka
Susan Mykrä
Marjut Männistö
Annu Perälä
Joni Piispanen
Anna Tikkala

Title of docent (Adjunct Professors)

Anne Kankaanranta
Marja-Liisa Kuronen
Anne Laajalahti
Minna Lammi
Arto Lanamäki
Hans Landqvist
Vilma Luoma-aho
Riikka Nissi
Pekka Pälli