Kati Tervo-Niemelä
Professor
Käytännöllisen teologian professori
School of Theology, Philosophical Faculty
[email protected] | +358 50 325 3876
Kati Tervo-Niemelä (former Niemelä; born 1972 in Seinäjoki) is a professor in practical theology at the University of Eastern Finland. Her contact email is: [email protected]
She has previously worked as a senior lecturer in Church and Social Studies/Practical Theology (2012-2018) and as professor in Church and Social Studies (fixed term 4/2015-3/2017 at the University of Helsinki. Tervo-Niemelä holds a title of Docent in Religious Education (2002). Her research covers many areas of practical theology, religious education and church and social studies. Tervo-Niemelä has previously worked as a Senior Researcher at Church Research Institute (2000-2012).
Her main research interests have been (1) the clergy career and ministry formation; the work orientation and well-being; (2) religion and the lifespan; (3) religious affiliation and disaffiliation, (4) the youth and religion, (5) religious rituals and (6) religion and the media.
She has published actively both in international and national settings in the abovementioned areas, including seven monographs (e.g. Does Confirmation Training Really Matter?; Vieraantunut vai pettynyt? Kirkosta eroamisen syyt Suomen evankelis-luterilaisessa kirkossa; Teologiksi? and Uskonko niin kuin opetan? Seurakuntatyöntekijä uskon ja elämän ristipaineessa) and six co-authored monographs (including Questioning Mind and Religion in Finland), six edited or co-edited volumes.
Projects
Files
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Publication list 2024
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Joensuun maisterit pappeina: Esitelmä Heikki Salomaan lähtöseminaarissa 15.5.2019
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Uskontokasvatus ja merkityksellisyys - luento Soveltavien opintojen neuvottelupäivillä Ku…
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Esitelmä 15.3.2019 Suomen Ekumeenisen Neuvoston Teologisen ja opillisen keskustelun jaost…
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Publications
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Clarifying the Relationship Between Having a Clear Meaning-of-Life Belief and Three Dimensions of Meaning in Life: A Study Among Finnish Religious Professionals
Palmi, Noora; Tervo-Niemelä, Kati; Dezutter, Jessie; Saarelainen, Suvi Maria, 2025, Pastoral psychology, [Epub ahead of print 23 Dec 2025], 1-24. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
Familial religious socialization, religious affiliation and religiosity in comparative perspective
Müller, Olaf; Legault-Leclair, Jacob; Molteni, Francesco; Rosta, Gergely; Tervo-Niemelä, Kati, 2025, Gärtner, Christel; Hennig, Linda; Müller, Olaf, Families and Religion. Dynamics of Transmission across Generations, 283-329. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Mikä nuoria miehiä kiinnostaa kristinuskossa?
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati; Hannikainen, Pietari, 24.10.2025, Katsomukset.fi. E1 Popularised article, newspaper article -
Nuorten vahvistuva usko ja rippikoulu 2019–2025: Mitä rippikoulututkimus kertoo nuorten uskonnollisuuden muutoksesta?
Porkka, Jouko; Tervo-Niemelä, Kati, 29.10.2025, Teologia.fi. E1 Popularised article, newspaper article -
Religious Change Is Not Only about Decline: the Complexity of Religious Change from a Family Perspective in Finland
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati, 2025, Andersen, Peter B; Gundelach, Peter, Changing Religiosities in the Nordic Countries. A Complexity Perspective, 86-97. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Religious agency as a lens on transforming religious socialization in Finnish families
Toivanen, Heidi; Kallatsa, Laura; Spännäri, Jenni; Tervo-Niemelä, Kati, 2025, Social compass, 72, 4, 684-700. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research -
The continuity and discontinuity of religion in Finnish families
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati; Spännäri, Jenni; Kallatsa, Laura; Toivanen, Heidi, 2025, Gärtner, Christel; Hennig, Linda; Müller, Olaf, Families and Religion Dynamics of Transmission Across Generations, 239-280. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Urbaanit nuoret aikuiset uskonnollisen muutoksen ennustajana
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati; Grönlund, Henrietta, 2025, Grönlund, Henrietta; Sinisalo, Riina; Ubani, Martin, Uskonto ja kaupunki: Suomalaisen teologian ja uskonnontutkimuksen näkökulmia, 217-237. A3 Book section, Chapters in research books -
Vender unge men tillbake til kristendommen: Utforsking av finske unge menns stemmer
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati, 2025, Luthersk kirketidende, 160, 9, 308-310. D1 Article in a trade journal -
What frames continuity and discontinuity of religion in families? A mixed-methods study of Finnish families in international comparison
Tervo-Niemelä, Kati; Spannari, Jenni; Kallatsa, Laura, 2025, Journal of contemporary religion, 40, 1, 67-86. A1 Journal article (refereed), original research

