
Helena Kantanen
Senior University Lecturer
Business School, Faculty of Social Sciences and Business Studies
[email protected] | +358 40 355 3366
I am a former communications professional who currently holds the position of Senior Lecturer in Innovation Management. Additionally, I have been honored with the title of Docent in Organizational Communication by the University of Tampere. My doctoral degree, obtained in 2007, focused on Organizational Communication and Public Relations, and was awarded by the University of Jyväskylä. Following the completion of my PhD, I joined the faculty in 2010.
My research pursuits encompass various areas, including appreciative organizational renewal, the creation of value through communication consultancy, exploration of learning and communication within virtual communities, and innovative pedagogical approaches within business education. Within the realm of teaching, I cover subjects such as introductory marketing, organizational communication, change management (including instruction through Erasmus exchange programs), and qualitative research methods.
I was involved in the Flipped Classroom development project of the UEF since its beginning and I also lead the pedagogical development team at the Business School. My commitment to excellence in teaching was acknowledged in 2017 when I received the Excellent Teaching Practitioner Award from the University of Eastern Finland. Throughout 2021 and 2022, I played an integral role in advancing online and blended learning pedagogy at our university by serving as a member of the digital pedagogy facilitator team.
Research groups
Publications
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Arvostava kehittäminen ja strateginen työyhteisöviestintä
Kantanen, Helena; Lehtimäki, Hanna; Rönkkö, Salla-Mari, 2025, Juholin, Elisa; Rydenfelt, Henrik, Strateginen viestintä, 163-182. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Pedagogies for innovative competencies
Kantanen, Helena, 2025, Eriksson, Päivi; Montonen, Tero; Laine, Pikka-Maaria; Hannula, Anna, Elgar Encyclopedia of Innovation Management, 47-50. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Yliopistossa opettavan ABC
Ritvanen, Ulla; Kantanen, Helena; Kasanen, Kati; Kohonen, Susanna; Paajanen, Vesa; Siitonen, Piia; Ikonen, Mirjami; Hiltunen, Venla; Hyytinen, Heidi; Lähdesmäki, Sirkku; Väisänen, Sanna, 2025, Itä-Suomen yliopisto. I1 Audiovisual material -
Mapping the challenges of COVID-19 from the point of view of organizational communication
Kantanen, Helena; Koskela, Merja, 2024, Einwiller, Sabine; Seiffert-Brockmann, Jens; Romenti, Stefania; Valentini, Chiara, Communication in Uncertain Times: How Organizations Deal with Issues, Risks and Crises, 21–35. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Self-managing peer team as a facilitator of online teaching
Kantanen, Helena; Kasanen, Kati; Kohonen, Susanna; Paajanen, Vesa; Pirttilä, Sanni; Siitonen, Piia, 2024, Journal of applied research in higher education, 2025; 17, 1, 408-420. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Where is My Community? First-Year Experience of Business Students during the Pandemic
Kantanen, Helena; Penttinen, Leena; Rosenius, Päivi; Ruth, Katri, 2023, Nordic journal of business, 72, 4, 200–217. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Digiopettajan starttipaketti
Ritvanen, Ulla; Kantanen, Helena; Kasanen, Kati; Kohonen, Susanna; Paajanen, Vesa; Siitonen, Piia, 2022, UEF Fasilitaattorit. I1 Audiovisual material -
Mitä tänään yliopistossa opit?
Kantanen, Helena; Paajanen, Vesa, 2022. I1 Audiovisual material -
Poikkeuksellinen pandemiaviestintä
Kantanen, Helena; Koskela, Merja, 2022, Kantanen, Helena; Koskela, Merja, Poikkeuksellinen viestintä, 14–27. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Poikkeuksellinen viestintä
Kantanen, Helena; Koskela, Merja, 2022, ProCom – Viestinnän ammattilaiset ry. C2 Edited book, conference proceedings or special issue of a journal