I started working at the School of Theology of the University of Eastern Finland in August 2022. My background is in study of religions. I received my doctorate from the University of Helsinki in 2015. Between 2015 and 2022, I worked as Postdoctoral Researcher and University Lecturer (fixed-term) at the same university. I have been granted the title of docent from the University of Helsinki in 2023.
My research is situated in-between anthropology and sociology of religion. I study contemporary Finnish religiosity and spirituality, often focusing on Orthodox Christianity. I am particularly interested in everyday lived expressions of religion and their embodied, material, ritual, and experiential dimensions. Through this grass-roots lens, I examine questions related to stability and change in individual religiosity; religion, power, and intersectionality; and the porous boundaries between religion, spirituality, and secular society and culture.
My research is qualitative in nature and utilizes ethnographic as well as written data. In and through my work, I engage with various theoretical discussions, such as critical social theory, practice theory, ritual theory, social memory studies, semiotic anthropology, theories of conversion, anthropological theories of learning, and feminist theory.
Publications
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Eletty uskonto ja syömisen käytänteet. Esimerkkinä suomenjuutalaiset
Kupari, Helena; Pataricza, Dóra. Teoksessa: Mäkinen, Virpi; Pesonen, Heikki; Uro, Risto(toim.) , 2023. Pyhä, paha ruoka: Uskonnon ja etiikan näkökulmia. s. 160-170. Gaudeamus -
Kauneuden palvontaa? Estetiikka ortodoksisen kirkon vetovoimatekijänä
Kupari, Helena. 2023. Katsomukset.fi. : . -
Ortodoksisuuden viehätys
Kupari, Helena. 2023. Kleio. 2: 20-21 -
The ambiguous role of materiality in transitions to Orthodox Christianity in contemporary Finland
Kupari, Helena. 2023. Religion. 53: 314-334 -
Transitions from the Evangelical Lutheran to the Orthodox Church in Finland
Kupari, Helena. 2023. Journal of religion in europe. 16: 81-106 -
Uskonnon ja kulttuurin risteymiä ortodoksikristillisyydessä
Kupari, Helena. Teoksessa: Linjakumpu, Aini; Sakaranaho, Tuula; Konttori, Johanna; Rissanen, Inkeri; Illman, Ruth; Ubani, Martin; Tiilikainen, Marja(toim.) , 2023. Uskontolukutaito suomalaisessa yhteiskunnassa. s. 34-36. Gaudeamus -
Ortodoksisuuden viehätys: Vähemmistöuskonnon ja uushenkisyyden risteyksiä
Kupari, Helena; Karjalainen, Mira. Teoksessa: Mahlamäki, Tiina; Opas, Minna(toim.) , 2022. Uushenkisyys. s. 259-283. Suomalaisen kirjallisuuden seura -
Religious practice among Finnish converts to Orthodox Christianity: Between ritual and sincerity
Kupari, Helena. 2022. Approaching religion. 12: 62-78 -
Rituals and Ritualization
Kupari, Helena; Butters, Maija. 2022. Approaching religion. . The Donner Institute -
Rituals and ritualization: Special issue dedicated to professor Terhi Utriainen
Kupari, Helena; Butters, Maija. 2022. Approaching religion. 12: 1-6