I am a doctoral candidate in the Political, Societal and Regional Change programme experienced in qualitative research and implementation of development cooperation projects in Finland and Latin America. My doctoral research focuses on how the focus of women’s empowerment shifts when Finland’s development aid has been increasingly transferred from traditional development cooperation to the private sector through cross-sectoral partnerships with Kenya. My professional work has been focused on using research to inform project design and implementation in development cooperation initiatives for gender-based violence, gender equality, peacebuilding, psychosocial support, and migration. Previously I have conducted research on Women, Peace and Security, and feminism in Colombia, and refugees, agency, and gender-based violence in Norway.

I'm a project management professional with several years of experience in coordinating international cooperation projects in both academia and the private sector. My areas of expertise are: science, technology and innovation (STI) cooperation frameworks between Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean, EU-CELAC STI policy dialogue, internationalization of higher education and research, Latin American Studies and intercultural communication.

Projects

Developing Finnish Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Europe, Africa, Asia and the LAC Region (FinCEAL Plus)

Developing Finnish Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Europe, Africa and the LAC Region (FinCEAL)

Developing Finnish Science, Technology and Innovation Cooperation between Europe, Africa, Asia and the LAC Region (FinCEAL Plus Continuation)

Internationalizing Finnish Science: Building Sustainable Bridges to Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean (BRIDGES)

MFA: Digitalization and human rights (2019); Ministry of Education: Data protection, privacy and child rights (2018-19); Various publications to the World Bank on climate change mitigation and adaptation (2010-12); LuKe (former RKTL): Consumers' willingness to buy eco-labeled fish (2004) Various articles in HS, Talouselämä and UNICEF blog on corporate responsibility (2015-19)

I am a PhD Candidate at the Faculty of Science, Forestry and Technology, UEF. I am have a Masters in economics and a BSc in Computer Science. My research interests: Serious Games in the educational context, economics of innovation and public (health) policy. I have substantial experience in the private sector (systems analyst, financial economics, data analysis and policy analysis).