Helena Ruuska became a textbook writer by chance. She was asked for feedback on Otava’s new Finnish language textbook for primary school pupils, Sanataituri, and before she knew it she was a member of the writing team.

Over the years, Dr Ruuska has written Finnish language and literature study material for secondary and upper-secondary schools, the most successful of which was the Aleksis series, the leading series in lower-secondary schools during the golden years of Finland’s PISA rankings. At the time of writing, Dr Ruuska is involved with the textbook series Kärki, which follows the 2016 syllabus and is also designed for lower-secondary school children.

It is said that you learn a thing only when you have taught it yourself. Helena Ruuska would continue this by claiming that you have learned something only when you have produced study material about it: written page-turning copy tailored to the age group and exercises which guide students towards gaining insights and seeing the connections between things.

Dr Ruuska has also edited and written articles related to the formulation of study material. The collection of articles Kirja muuttuvassa tietoympäristössä (‘Books in the changing information environment’) and Laatua! Oppimateriaalit muuttuvassa tietoympäristössä (‘Quality! Study material in the changing information environment’) can be found on the website of the Finnish Association of Non-fiction Writers (in Finnish).

Textbooks also took Dr Ruuska out of school for eight years to Otava’s granite fortress on Uudenmaankatu. From 2001–09 she was responsible for Otava’s humanities study material. Her teacher training and experience also provided a sound foundation for the profit-centred world of business. One series of textbooks after another saw the light of day, but gradually the work became repetitive. It was time to complete her doctoral dissertation and ponder a new angle on reading, writing and teaching.

The lessons and experiences from the publishing world nevertheless later bore fruit in courses taught at the Department of Finnish Literature on publishing and in her work on the board of the Finnish Association of Non-fiction Writers.