Marjukka Laiho

The focus of my academic work is the process of knowledge production. Specifically, I make observations on research settings and positionalities, power relations, and partnerships among all humans and other creatures involved in research processes. It is essential for me to create novel opportunities and explore such ways of knowledge production that construct a better world and promote social and planetary justice and solidarity. Interdisciplinarity and equity serve as guiding principles in both my empirical and theoretical work, which are also reflected in my teaching and lecturing.

My research is grounded in the sociology of religion and the sociology of knowledge. Within this framework, I have critically examined both the construction of theological knowledge and the nature of theology per se. While sociology of theology is at the core of my research, I also take a broader, power-analytic perspective to understand the world. This perspective is informed by my background in political science.  The social and societal impact of both research and teaching are my key values and guiding principles.

Methodologically, I am drawn to cosmopolitan and collaborative research approaches (e.g., Co-Research Network). In empirical research, I am particularly inspired by reflexive, critical, creative and utopian methods, and I enjoy experimenting with these. Experience, the permeability of lived, everyday life, and the equity of all creatures serve as philosophical anchors in my research. These are the roots that I use in reaching towards planetary ways of knowledge production. I have a special interest in mollusca.

Orcid 0000-0003-2739-0400

Teaching in University of Eastern Finland

Master’s course (obligatory) 5 ects: Practical Theology, Lived religion and Social Scientific Research (head teacher, in Finnish) (2020 –>)
Master’s course (obligatory) 5 ects: Theology as Constructing Meaning (visiting teacher, in Finnish) (2023 –>)
Bachelor’s course (optional) 5 ects: Methods Circle for Theology and Religious Studies (head teacher, in Finnish) (2023-2025)
Bachelor’s course (optional) 5 ects: Religion and Gender Studies: a Workshop (visiting teacher, in English) (2024–>)