Director of Research Services of the UEF: Research and Innovation Services at the University of Eastern Finland is responsible for providing expert services to support researchers and research processes, and for assisting the university’s leadership in the strategic management of research and innovation activities. Research and Innovation Services also provides supporting services related to research funding, business collaboration and innovation activities, as well as doctoral education.
Research assessment and development, strategy work on research, profile building of research activities (PROFI funding of the Academy of Finland), secretary of UEF’s Research Leadership Group
Morikawa’s doctoral research focuses on existential well-being and how to support it. She examines the topic in Finnish university communities from three different perspectives; students, university staff and, as a support provider, the Chaplaincy. In particular, attention is focused on the factors that constitute support for existential well-being. The results of the first article in the dissertation show that existential well-being support in the educational institution was conceptualised as the strengthening of the experience of meaningfulness and was implemented through three main themes: multifaceted expertise, an understanding of inclusivity and tools for existential well-being support.
Morikawa’s research deepens our understanding of holistic well-being and how to support it at different stages of life.
The purpose of risk management, compliance and internal audit is to support the achievement of the University’s objectives and to promote good governance and responsible operations. Risk management focuses on the identification, assessment and management of risks related to the University’s activities as part of planning, decision-making and day-to-day processes. The compliance function promotes adherence to legislation, internal policies and good governance practices, and supports ethical and transparent operations within the organisation.
Internal audit evaluates the effectiveness, adequacy and compliance of internal control within management and operational processes. It supports risk management through planned audit activities and provides consulting services to internal stakeholders as needed and/or as agreed.
Originally a Bangladeshi, I came to the University of Eastern Finland (UEF) in 2015 to pursue an MA in English Language and Culture. The degree was completed in 2019 with a thesis titled Mapping the Border, Mapping the Nation: Towards an Understanding of the Other in Amitav Ghosh’s The Shadow Lines. The next phase of my studies at UEF began in the fall of 2020 when I enrolled as a doctoral student in the same department under the supervision of Professor Jopi Nyman. I defended my doctoral thesis, Humans-as-Waste in Contemporary Dystopic Fiction and Films, on August 13, 2026, and obtained the degree with distinction. My doctoral research was supported by Koneen Säätiö and the Philosophical Faculty’s finalizing grant.
Currently, I am affiliated as a Visiting Researcher with the School of Humanities, Philosophical Faculty (UEF), where my research concentrates on exploring forms of mobility in more-than-human contexts and examining human-nonhuman representations across a multiplicity of narratives, including fiction, films, memoirs, and others. I have also been drafting a monograph that is under negotiation with a reputed publisher and is expected to be finalized between mid- and late 2027.
My research areas are interdisciplinary due to the nature of the topics I investigate, which require intermedial reading, a deep understanding of particular streams within continental philosophy, and extensive engagement with critical theories related to power, borders, sovereignty, politics, and mobility. I am a passionate reader who is in favour of producing scholarship that crosses boundaries by questioning traditional norms, patterns, and grand narratives.
If anyone wishes to form a working group, develop a group project, or write co-authored scientific papers on adjacent themes closest to my interests, they are welcome to reach out to me without hesitation.
I am a doctoral researcher within the Biomedical Informatics group led by Vittorio Fortino at the Institute of Biomedicine. My current research focusses on using network biology and machine learning towards improving drug efficacy and safety. I am also a part of the in silico work package of the EDCMET project where I support towards development of tools for understanding the mechanism of actions of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
This “Circular Economy of water in industrial processes”, CEIWA project develops solutions for digitalization, technology development, management of different pollutants, and legislative aspects to enhance circular economy of industrial waters. In addition to providing solutions to water intensive industries, the project also serves technology and service providers. This project supports various industries to obtain circular economy of waters as core business. University of Eastern Finland will concentrate on development of multimetal and microplastic analysis.
I am contributing to international research collaboration through the Future Teacher Education for Sustainable Development (FUTE) project with partner universities in Finland, Namibia, and Tanzania. My work focuses on strengthening teacher education through educational research, curriculum innovation, and the integration of sustainability-oriented and digitally enhanced pedagogies. I analyse cross-national data on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), digital learning, and teacher education, and contribute to peer-reviewed international publications. I am also responsible for developing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) to support teacher educators and pre-service teachers in implementing sustainability-focused teaching practices. My research expertise includes mathematics and science education and ICT-enhanced pedagogy, with a focus on improving educational quality in resource-constrained contexts and advancing sustainable education globally.
