Sirpa Kokko
Deputy Head of School
Professor
Professor, Craft Science
School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty
[email protected] | +358 50 594 1276
I am a Professor of Craft Science with a research focus on the cultural, societal, and educational dimensions of crafts, viewed through both local and global lenses. My work explores how craft practices—both intangible and material—contribute to cultural heritage, sustainability, and social justice.
I am deeply committed to advancing equality and equity through crafts and believe in the power of collaborative research. I actively participate in national and international networks to strengthen the field of craft science and foster interdisciplinary dialogue.
In Finland, Craft Science is the core discipline in craft teacher education. I supervise Master’s and PhD theses in this area, and my research interests include topics such as equity in craft education; well-being through crafts; skill learning and teaching; critical craft pedagogy; remote and digital craft education; STEAM and multidisciplinary approaches in craft education; intercultural crafts.
If you are interested in these themes or have ideas for collaboration, I warmly invite you to get in touch.
Research groups
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CREA - Creating Dialogue in Embodied Action -
Craft Science and Craft Pedagogy 01.02.2022 - -
STEAM, Multidisciplinary Craft Teaching and Learning 01.02.2022 -
Projects
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Digital learning in STEAM pedagogy for the Equity of Education Finished 01.08.2023 - 31.12.2025 -
EastSTEAM 01.08.2025 - 30.07.2027 -
Higher Education on Craft Traditions 15.05.2023 - 30.09.2026 -
Crafting health and wellbeing 01.01.2026 - 31.12.2030 -
Nordic Craft Sciences Finished 01.01.2021 - 30.06.2023 -
The Finnish-Uruguayan partnership for fostering STEAM approach in teacher education Finished 01.08.2023 - 31.12.2025
Publications 2014-
A 1 Journal article-refereed
Väänänen, N., Gräslund-Berg, E., Hyrsky, K., Kettunen, H., Kokko, S., Runnquist, L., Spuur, T., Tuum, K., & Virta, K. (2025). Intercultural Learning through Crafts in a Nordic-Baltic Context. FormAkademisk, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.6345
Liukkonen, P., Vartiainen, H., & Kokko, S. (2025). Exploring human-nature-technology relations: learning ecologies of bio-oriented creative practices. Environmental Education Research, 1–21. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uef.fi:2443/10.1080/13504622.2025.2585869
Liukkonen, P., Vartiainen, H., & Kokko, S. (2025). Becoming materially aware with mushrooms: a sociomaterial analysis of biomaking. The International Journal of Art & Design Education. https://doi.org/10.1111/jade.12550
Lehtiniemi, P., Kokko, S., Syrjäläinen, E., & Palojoki, P. (2024). Teachers’ pedagogical challenges and solutions in Finnish adult education home economics online courses. International Journal of Home Economics, 17(2), 62–76. https://www.ifhe.org/fileadmin/IJHE-Vol-17-Iss-2-A5-Lehtiniemi.pdf
Riiho, A., & Kokko, S. (2024). Critical pedagogy approach in developing an online course on sustainable fashion to support consumer choices. International Journal of Fashion Design, Technology and Education, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/17543266.2024.2435432
Sipola, A., Kokko, S., & Kröger, T. (2024). The Twofold Manifestation of Perfectionism in Textile Craft: Experiences of Self-Identified Perfectionists. TEXTILE- cloth and culture, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/14759756.2024.2385188
Nissinen, S., Vartiainen, H., Vanninen, P., Pöllänen, S., & Kokko, S. (2025). How to shoe an elk? Teachers’ reflections on creating a glocal learning community. Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning, 20, 004. https://doi.org/10.58459/rptel.2025.20004
Kröger, T., & Kokko, S. (2024). Crafted reactions to the war in Ukraine. Craft Research, 15(1), 81–108. https://doi-org.ezproxy.uef.fi:2443/10.1386/crre_00120_1
Liukkonen, P., Vartiainen, H., Pöllänen, S., & Kokko, S. (2023). Interacting with nature in and through boundary crossing learning: a case of bioart-making. Journal of the Learning Sciences https://doi-org.ezproxy.uef.fi:2443/10.1080/10508406.2023.2263845
Veeber, E., Syrjäläinen, E., & Kokko, S. (2023). Estonian and Finnish teachers’ experiences
of textile craft purposes in basic education. FormAkademisk 16(1). Art.6. https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.4632
Kokko, S., & Kouhia, A. (2023). Käsityötä etänä: Käsityönopettajan pedagoginen toiminta ja opettajan osaamisalueiden kehittäminen koronapandemian aikana. Kasvatus & Aika, 17(2), 23–41. https://doi.org/10.33350/ka.114222
Lehtiniemi, P., Kokko, S., Syrjäläinen, E., & Palojoki, P. (2023). Teachers’ experiences of using ICT in teaching practical skills in adult education. Techne Series – Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 20(1), 18–30. https://doi.org/10.7577/TechneA.4926
Veeber, E., Syrjäläinen, E. & Kokko, S. (2023). Estonian and Finnish teachers’ experiences of the purpose of textile craft in basic education. FormAkademisk – Forskningstidsskrift for Design Og Designdidaktikk. (in press)
Kokko, S. (2022). Orientations on studying crafts in higher education. Craft Research, 13(2), 411–432. https://doi.org/10.1386/crre_00086_1
Kouhia, A. & Kokko, S. (2022). At the Intersection of the Digital and the Material: Teaching and Learning Crafts during the Pandemic. Research in Arts and Education, 2022(2), 47–55. https://doi.org/10.54916/rae.122976
Ojala, M., Karppinen, S., Syrjäläinen, E., & Kokko, S. (2022). Teachers’ pedagogical tact in craft-art learning situations : Pathic perceiving, acting and interacting. FormAkademisk – Forskningstidsskrift for Design Og Designdidaktikk, 15(1). Arcticle 5. https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.4822
Kouhia, A., Kangas, K., & Kokko, S. (2021). The effects of remote pandemic education to craft pedagogy – opportunities, challenges, and interaction. Center for Educational Policy Studies Journal, 11, Sp. Issue: Education in the Covid-19 Era, 309-333. https://doi.org/10.26529/cepsj.1126
Kokko, S. (2021). Critical research approach in craft and fibre art studies in the USA. International Journal of Education Through Art, 17(2), 303–320. https://doi.org/10.1386/eta_00067_1
Paavola, T., Kangas, K., Kokko, S., Riikonen, S., Mehto, V., Hakkarainen, K., & Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. (2021). Video Data Analysis for Tracing Emotional Aspects of Collaborative Design and Making Processes. Techne Series – Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 28(3), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.7577/TechneA.4053
Riikonen, S., Kangas, K., Kokko, S., Korhonen, T, Hakkarainen, K., & Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. (2020). The development of pedagogical infrastructures in three cycles of maker-centered learning projects. Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 25(2), 29–49.
Kokko, S., Kouhia, A., & Kangas, K. (2020). Finnish craft education in turbulence. Techne serien – Forskning i Slöjdpedagogik och Slöjdvetenskap, 27(1), 1–19. https://journals.oslomet.no/index.php/techneA/article/view/3562
Kokko, S., Almevik, G., Høgseth, H., & Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, P. (2020). Mapping the methodologies of the Craft Sciences in Finland, Sweden and Norway. Craft Research, 11(2), 177–209. https://doi.org/10.1386/crre_00025_1
Dillon, P., & Kokko, S. (2017). Craft as cultural ecologically located practice. Comparative case studies of textile crafts in Cyprus, Estonia and Peru. Studia Vernacula, 11, Best of Studia Vernacula 2013-2019, 8–33. [Invited reprint of the publication in Craft Research journal, 2017]
Kokko, S., & Räisänen, R. (2019). Craft education in sustaining and developing craft traditions. Reflections from Finnish craft teacher education. Techne series – Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 26(1), 27–43.
Eronen, L. Kokko, S., & Sormunen. K. (2019). Escaping the subject-based class: A Finnish case study of developing transversal competencies in a transdisciplinary course. The Curriculum Journal, 30(3), 264–278. DOI: 10.1080/09585176.2019.1568271
Dillon, P., & Kokko, S. (2017). Craft as cultural ecologically located practice. Comparative case studies of textile crafts in Cyprus, Estonia and Peru. Craft Research, 8(2), 193–222.
Kokko, S., & Dillon, P. (2016). Engaging trainee teachers with crafts and cultural heritage. International Journal of Education through Art, 12(1), 21-37.
Kokko, S., Eronen, L., & Sormunen, K. (2015). Crafting Maths: Exploring Mathematics Learning through Crafts. Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 20(2), 22–31.
Kokko, S., & Kaipainen, M. (2015). The changing role of cultural heritage in traditional textile crafts from Cyprus. Craft Research, 6(1), 9–31.
A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Kokko, S. (2025). Crafting the living cultural heritage in Finland. In D. Wood (Ed.), The Politics of Global Craft (pp. 275–289). London: Bloomsbury Visual Arts.
Kokko, S. (2018). The role of higher education in sustaining culturally significant crafts in Estonia. In S. Walker, M. Evans, T. Cassidy, A. T. Holroyd, & J. Jung (Eds.), Design Roots. Culturally Significant Designs, Products and Practices (pp. 231–242). London: Bloomsbury Academic. DOI 10.5040/9781474241823.ch-022
Kokko, S., Porko-Hudd, M., & Syrjäläinen, E. (2016). Editorial preface. NoFa5 Helsinki 27–29 May 2015. Techne series – Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 23(1), i-ii.
Parts, P., Kokko, S., Rennu, M., Jõeste, K., & Manglus, E. (2015). Sissejuhatus. Studia Vernacula, 6, 12–17.
Parts, P., Kokko, S., Rennu, M., Jõeste, K., & Manglus, E. (2015). Introduction. Studia Vernacula, 6, 18–23
Kokko, S., Viilo, M., Matinlauri, M., & Tokola, A. (2014). Kokonainen käsityö ja suunnittelun ohjaaminen peruskoulussa – käsityön opettajaopiskelijoiden kokemuksia. [Student teachers’ experiences of supervising craft design at comprehensive school] In A. Nuutinen, P. Fernström, S. Kokko, & H. Lahti (Eds.), Suunnittelusta käsin: käsityön tutkimuksen ja opetuksen vuoropuhelua (pp.81–99). Kotitalous- ja käsityötieteiden julkaisuja, 36. Helsingin yliopisto, opettajankoulutuslaitos.
Kokko, S. (2014). Feministisen pedagogiikan ituja luokanopettajakoulutuksen käsityöopinnoissa. In J. Saarinen, H. Ojala, & T. Palmu (Eds.) Eroja ja vaarallisia suhteita: keskustelua feministisestä pedagogiikasta (pp. 225–231). Suomen kasvatustieteellinen seura, Kasvatusalan tutkimuksia, 65.
Dillon, P., Hacklin, S., Kantelinen, R., Kokko, S., Kröger, T., Simola, R., Valtonen, T., & Vesisenaho, M. (2014). Developing a cross-disciplinary framework for collaborative research in multi- and intercultural education. In Victor C. X. Wang (Ed.), Handbook of Research on Education and Technology in a Changing Society 1 (pp. 593–606). IGI Global.
A4 Conference proceedings
Kokko, S., & Väänänen, N. (2023). Broadening the Scope of Craft Teaching: Exploring Out-of-School Teaching Practices. FormAkademisk, 16(4). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.5380
Kokko, S. (2021). Approaches to craft studies at higher education. FormAkademisk – Forskningstidsskrift for Design Og Designdidaktikk, 14(2). https://doi.org/10.7577/formakademisk.4197
Salovaara, M., & Kokko, S. (2019). Developing Craft Pedagogy for Older Adults in Care Settings. In C. Vilhena, & M. H. Gregório (Eds.), The contributions of education and learning for older adults’ well-being: proceedings of the 9th conference of the ESREA -research network on education and learning of older adults (ELOA) (pp. 214–231). Gambelas, Universidade do Algarve.
Kettunen, H., Kokko, S., Kröger, T., & Pöllänen, S. (2013). Taulutietokone tekstiilityönopetuksen välineenä. In E. Yli-Paunula, H. Silfverberg & E. Kouki (Eds.) Opettaminen valinkauhassa: Ainedidaktinen symposiumi Turussa 15.3.2013. Suomen ainedidaktisen seuran julkaisuja: Ainedidaktisia tutkimuksia, 7, 171–184.
Kokko, S. & Kyritsi, A. (2012). Cultural heritage education for intercultural communication. iI M. Ioannided, D. Fritsch, J. Leissner, R. David, & R. Remondino (Eds.), EUROMED 2012, 4th International Conference, Progress in Cultural Heritage Preservation, Short Papers (pp. 165–68). Essex, UK: Multi-Science Publishing.
Kokko, S. (2007). Taitavat ja ”tumpelot” tytöt tekstiilityönopetuksessa. In J. Lavonen (Ed.) Tutkimusperustainen opettajankoulutus ja kestävä kehitys (pp. 292–298). Helsingin yliopiston soveltavan kasvatustieteen laitoksen tutkimuksia, 285.
Kokko, S. (2006). Gender-Specific Crafts in the Upbringing and Education of Girls. In A.-L. Rauma, S. Pöllänen, & P. Seitamaa-Hakkarainen (Eds.), Human Perspectives on Sustainable Future (pp. 346–351). University of Joensuu. Research reports of the Faculty of Education, 99.
Kokko, S. (2005). Käsitöiden eriytyminen sukupuolen mukaan tyttöjen kasvatuksessa. [Gender-specific crafts in the education of girls] In A. Virta, K. Merenluoto, & P. Pöyhönen (Eds.), Ainedidaktiikan ja oppimistutkimuksen haasteet opettajankoulutukselle (pp. 248–254). Turun yliopiston kasvatustieteiden tiedekunnan julkaisuja, B: 75. [University of Turku. Publications of the Faculty of Education B: 75]
Kokko, S. (2005). Girls in Gender-Specific Crafts Education. In J. Herranen, V. Puuronen, & J. Soilevuo Grønnerød (Eds.), Youth – Similarities, Differences, Inequalities (pp. 25–33). University of Joensuu, Reports of the Karelian Institute, 1.
B2 Book section
Berg, P., Guttorm, H., Kankkunen, T., Kokko, S., Kuoppamäki, A., Lepistö, J., Turkki, K., Väyrynen, L., & Lehtonen, J. (2011). Tytöille tyttömäistä ja pojille poikamaista – yksilöllisten valintojen viidakossa? In J. Lehtonen (Ed.), Sukupuolinäkökulmia tutkimusperustaiseen opettajankoulutukseen (pp. 91–115). Helsingin yliopisto.
Heikkinen, M., Helakorpi, J., Hynninen, P., Jauhiainen, A., Kokko, S., Laiho, A., Norema, A., Pietilä, P., Purtonen, T., & Lehtonen, J. (2011). Pedagogisia ratkaisuja opettajankoulutuksen muutoksessa sukupuolitietoiseksi. In J. Lehtonen (Ed.), Sukupuolinäkökulmia tutkimusperustaiseen opettajankoulutukseen (pp. 42–63). Helsingin yliopisto.
Kokko, S. (2008). Tunteita ja tekemisen paloa: Naisten käsitöiden elävä perinne. In L. Koski, & P. Harinen (Eds.), Arjen askeleet. Otteita elämästä (pp. 149– 157). Joensuun yliopisto. Sosiologian raportteja, 7.
Kokko, S. (2004). Tytöt peruskoulun tekstiilityössä. [Girls in textile craft lessons of comprehensive school] In T. Kupiainen (Ed.) Käsillä tehty. (pp. 91–102). Helsinki: Edita.
C1 Book
Draxl, E., Fischer, A., Kokko, S., Kästik, H., Salovaara, M., & Stedman, J. (2017). Handmade Wellbeing Handbook. Facilitating art and craft workshops for older people in care settings. University of Helsinki, Finland. https://helda.helsinki.fi/handle/10138/214420
C2 Book Editor
Nuutinen, A., Fernström, P., Kokko, S., & Lahti, H. (2014). Suunnittelusta käsin. Käsityön tutkimuksen ja opetuksen vuoropuhelua. Kotitalous- ja käsityötieteiden julkaisuja, 36. Helsingin yliopisto, opettajankoulutuslaitos.
Kokko, S., Porko-Hudd, M., & Syrjäläinen, E. (2016). NoFa5 Helsinki 27–29 May 2015. Techne series – Research in Sloyd Education and Craft Science A, 23(1).
D Other professional publications
Kokko, Sirpa; Liukkonen, Päivikki; Sormunen, Kari; Flecchia, Silvana; Añón, Patricia; De Lema, Solange; Irigoyen, Marta; Varela, Gabriela; Perrone, Verónica; Fenyvesi, Kristof; Tuba, Orsolya; Mäki-Kuutti, Matias; Lindell, Anssi. (2025). STEAM-opetuksen integrointi opettajankoulutuksessa: Oivalluksia suomalais-uruguaylaisesta yhteistyöstä. University of Jyväskylä. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1106-6
Kokko, S., Liukkonen, P., Sormunen, K., Flecchia, S., Añón, P., De Lema, S., . . . Lindell, A. (2025). Integrating STEAM in Teacher Education: Insights from a Finnish- Uruguayan Collaboration. University of Jyväskylä. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1104-2
Kokko, S., Liukkonen, P., Sormunen, K., Flecchia, S., Añón, P., De Lema, S., . . . Lindell, A. (2025). Integrando STEAM en la Formación Docente: Perspectivas de una Colaboración Finlandesa-Uruguaya. University of Jyväskylä. https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-86-1105-9
D1 Article in a professional magazine
Kokko, S, (2020). Kestävä Käsityö auki purettuna ja yhteen koottuna. Tekstiiliopettaja, 3, 20.
Kokko, S. (2020). Fibers-opettajien tapaaminen käsityötaivaassa. Tekstiiliopettaja, 2, 14–15.
Kokko, S. (2015). Andien käsityökulttuuria Perussa. Tekstiiliopettaja, 3, 24–25.
Publications
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Becoming Materially Aware with Mushrooms: A Sociomaterial Analysis of Biomaking
Liukkonen, Päivikki; Vartiainen, Henriikka; Kokko, Sirpa, 2025, International journal of art and design education, 44, 3, 545-560. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Crafting the living cultural heritage in Finland
Kokko, Sirpa, 2025, Wood, D., The Politics of Global Craft, 275-289. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Exploring human-nature-technology relations: learning ecologies of bio-oriented creative practices
Liukkonen, Päivikki; Vartiainen, Henriikka; Kokko, Sirpa, 2025, Environmental education research, [Epub ahead of print 7 Nov 2025], 1-21. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Higher Education Collaboration on Nordic-Baltic Craft Traditions
Väänänen, Niina; Kokko, Sirpa, 2025, The Craft Laboratory. Abstract -
Integrando STEAM en la Formación Docente: Perspectivas de una Colaboración Finlandesa-Uruguaya
Kokko, Sirpa; Liukkonen, Päivikki; Sormunen, Kari; Flecchia, Silvana; Añón, Patricia; De Lema, Solange; Irigoyen, Marta; Varela, Gabriela; Perrone, Verónica; Fenyvesi, Kristof; Tuba, Orsolya; Mäki-Kuutti, Matias; Lindell, Anssi, 2025, Jyväskylän yliopisto. D4 Published development or research report or study -
Integrating STEAM in Teacher Education: Insights from a Finnish- Uruguayan Collaboration
Kokko, Sirpa; Liukkonen, Päivikki; Sormunen, Kari; Flecchia, Silvana; Añón, Patricia; De Lema, Solange; Irigoyen, Marta; Varela, Gabriela; Perrone, Verónica; Fenyvesi, Kristof; Tuba, Orsolya; Mäki-Kuutti, Matias; Lindell, Anssi, 2025, Jyväskylän yliopisto. D4 Published development or research report or study -
Intercultural Learning through Crafts in a Nordic-Baltic Intensive Study Week Context
Väänänen, Niina; Gräslund-Berg, Elisabeth; Hyrsky, Kaisa; Kettunen, Hanna; Kokko, Sirpa; Runnquist, Lars; Spuur, Tine; Tuum, Kirsti; Virta, Kalle, 2025, Formakademisk, 18, 1, 1-25. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Intra- and Intercultural Dialogue in Craft Education : A Systematic Literature Review
Kröger, Tarja; Kokko, Sirpa, 2025, The Craft Laboratory. Abstract -
Kotitalousopettajaopiskelijoiden kulttuurisesti moninainen opetusharjoittelu
Ponkilainen, Mari; Moilanen, Virpi; Kokko, Sirpa; Janhonen-Abruquah, Hille, 2025, Itä-Suomen yliopisto. Abstract -
STEAM-opetuksen integrointi opettajankoulutuksessa: Oivalluksia suomalais-uruguaylaisesta yhteistyöstä
Kokko, Sirpa; Liukkonen, Päivikki; Sormunen, Kari; Flecchia, Silvana; Añón, Patricia; De Lema, Solange; Irigoyen, Marta; Varela, Gabriela; Perrone, Verónica; Fenyvesi, Kristof; Tuba, Orsolya; Mäki-Kuutti, Matias; Lindell, Anssi, 2025, Jyväskylän yliopisto. D4 Published development or research report or study