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Marjukka  Laiho

Marjukka Laiho

Postdoctoral Researcher

School of Theology, Philosophical Faculty

[email protected] | +358 50 566 7179

The focus of my academic work is the process of knowledge production – specifically, research settings, methods, positionalities, power structures, and partnerships among all those involved in the research process. For me, it is essential to create new opportunities and explore innovative ways of working—contributing to a better world and promoting social justice and solidarity. Interdisciplinarity and equality serve as guiding principles in both my empirical and theoretical work, which are also reflected in my teaching and lecturing.

In practice, my research is grounded in the sociology of religion and the sociology of knowledge. Within this framework, I critically examine both the construction of theological knowledge and the nature of theological “knowledge” per se. While such 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. I view academic research and knowledge production always within a broader societal context. As such, 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). I am particularly inspired by reflexive, critical, and creative methods, and I enjoy experimenting with these analytical tools. I view research in the social sciences and humanities as an interactive and intersubjective process, where the boundaries between researcher and researched become fluid. Experience and the permeability of lived, everyday life serve as a guiding thread in my research; as experiencing subjects, we are all equal as human beings.

Orcid 0000-0003-2739-0400

On-going 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 –>)
Bachelor’s course (optional) 5 ects: Methods Circle for Theology and Religious Studies (head teacher, in Finnish) (2024 –>)
Bachelor’s course (optional) 5 ects: Religion and Gender Studies: a Workshop (vieraileva luennoitsija, in English) (2024–>)

Publications

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