Communication Studies

Research group

Communication Studies research group views communication as a human activity that enables interaction, keeps communities together, and creates a common understanding.

We understand communication both as an organized and planned activity, such as how a company communicates with their stakeholders online and as spontaneous activity typical of human beings, such as online comments on news or interaction at workplaces.

We are interested in topical issues and current affairs and approach them from the points of view of knowledge, communication, and media. 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.

The research group focuses on organizational communication, digital media and technical communication in combination with each other. An important part of the research group are doctoral students who study in the Doctoral programme of Social Sciences.

We are constantly looking for talented and motivated people interested in the research of communication, both as doctoral students and for various project assignments. On these pages, you will find information about the activities of our group, and you can also contact us directly.

The contact persons of the Communication Studies research group are Professors Merja Koskela (for the period 1.8.2024–31.7.2027 Anne Laajalahti) and Tanja Sihvonen.

Henkilöt rivissä. Vasemmalta: Rebekah Rousi, Nils Ehrenberg, Catharina von Koskull, Virpi Roto, ja Martina Čaić. Vasemmalta: Rebekah Rousi, Nils Ehrenberg, Catharina von Koskull, Virpi Roto, ja Martina Čaić. Kuva: Natasha Stillman

14.02.2025 Insights

A humane approach to new technologies – researchers delve into the ethical challenges of AI

01.10.2024 Insights

Do NFTs create value in games? There are at least three ways to look at it

07.12.2023 Society

Technical instructions with extended reality? A new model helps spot potential risks

Show more news

Publications

Publications in SOLECRIS research database

VAKKI Publications

Research projects

Project	Duration	Funders
Multifaceted Ripple Effects and Limitations of AI-Human Interplay at Work, Business, and Society (SYNTHETICA)	01/2024 - 12/2026	Research Council of Finland
Emotional Experience of Privacy and Ethics in Everyday Pervasive Systems (BUGGED)	09/2022 - 08/2026	Research Council of Finland
Short videos as news sources for young people (Lyhytvideot nuorten uutislähteenä)	08/2022 - 01/2024	Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö
Shifting Investment Cultures in Digital Spaces	09/2021 - 08/2025	Research Council of Finland
Citizens as agents of change in decarbonizing suburban and rural housing (DECARBON-HOME)	10/2020 - 09/2026	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	10/2019 - 02/2022	Helsingin Sanomain Säätiö
Banks saving-related communication in the social media	04/2019 - 12/2023	Vaasan Aktia-säätiö
RegeRa	04/2018 - 04/2022	Vaasan Aktia-säätiö, Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet, Letterstedtska föreningen
Conceptualizing Blockchains	01/2018 - 01/2023	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	01/2018 - 01/2023	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

Professor

School of Marketing and Communication, Communication Studies

firstname.lastname@uwasa.fi

+358294498269

Ankkuri 1. floor

Research group

A humane approach to new technologies – researchers delve into the ethical challenges of AI

Do NFTs create value in games? There are at least three ways to look at it

Technical instructions with extended reality? A new model helps spot potential risks

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

Research group members

Professors

Tanja Sihvonen

Merja Koskela

Rebekah Rousi

Heidi Hirsto

Tomi Laapotti

Professors of practise

Elina Melgin

Other research group members

Kristine Ask

Kirsi-Mari Cheas

Maria Eronen-Valli

Cecilia Hjerppe

Annikki Hyppönen

Anne Laajalahti

Sebastian Laitila

Tommi Lehtonen

Ella Lillqvist

Heidi Mikkola

Niina Nissilä

Katey O’Sullivan

Nuppu-Maija Pelevina

Krista Penttilä

Joni Piispanen

Merja Porttikivi

Satu Rantakokko

Eveliina Salmela

Virpi Salojärvi

Katriina Tikkala

Eliisa Vainikka

Ville Vakkuri

Teija Waaramaa

Johanna Ylipulli

Emerita professor

Anita Nuopponen

Doctoral researchers

Title of docent (Adjunct Professors)