Tuomo Alhojärvi

I’m a geographer specialised in postcapitalist theory and practice. As a postdoctoral researcher in UEF’s Cultural Studies research group, I work in the Kone Foundation funded project “Post-ownership as an interpretation and experience of economic change” (2022-2026). My work centres on methods for making urban spaces ‘otherwise’. I build especially upon feminist economic geographies, political ecology, critical social and spatial theory, and participatory action methods.

Presently (Autumn 2024), I develop cartographic methods to study the commons and seek to better conceptualise postdigital geomedia. That is to say: I do, and think about, maps. Much of my work concentrates on developing counter-mapping methods for visualising and critically debating heterogeneous forms of urban commoning. In addition, I study and develop spatial-economic theory in multiple ongoing writing projects, for example concentrating on the diverse economies framework’s methodologies and on the plaace of self-critique in socially engaged academic and activist practice.

I defended my PhD at the University of Oulu’s Geography Research Unit in the Spring 2021. My thesis For Postcapitalist Studies: Inheriting Futures of Space and Economy brings together the thought of feminist economic geographers J.K. Gibson-Graham and deconstructive philosopher Jacques Derrida to think through what we inherit in imagining and practicing postcapitalist futures. A central goal was to develop the self-critical capacities of postcapitalist thinking, which remains a central aim in all of my work.

I’m eager to respond to any ideas for collaboration on these – and new! – themes.  work as part of the Community Economies Research Network and as a member of the Community Economies Institute. I’m also member of the editorial committee of Tiede & edistys, a Finnish journal of critical social studies.

I’m happy to supervise students on themes related to social and cultural change. Send me a message if you have a research idea!