Pirjo Hiidenmaa
Humanist of the day

Pirjo Hiidenmaa

Professor Pirjo Hiidenmaa does research into non-fiction in a changing information environment: its genres, writers and yes, its gentle readers. She also champions academic openness and stresses the role played by scholars in public discourse and as contributors to the cultural realm. The successful communication of academic work and language use in all its rich diversity lie at the core of her work as a researcher and teacher. She chooses to relax by taking a dip in icy waters (in a woolly hat, naturally) or getting up for some Nordic walking before sunrise.

Pirjo Hiidenmaa

Pirjo Anneli Hiidenmaa
Born February 6, 1959, Anttola.

MA 1986 and PhD 1995 (Finnish language), University of Helsinki

Professor of Non-fiction Studies and Non-fiction Writing, University of Helsinki 1.1.2015-

Previously involved in much research, teaching and specialist work (the Institute for the Languages of Finland,  the Academy of Finland and the University of Helsinki). She has also worked as the Director of the Open University of the University of Helsinki and the Palmenia Centre for Continuing Education. Hiidenmaa was Chair of the Finnish Association of Non-fiction Writers (2003-11) and has been President of the European Writers’ Council since 2009.

Publications, research projects and other academic involvement
Research areas: Non-fiction, communicating science, status of non-fiction writing in communication flows, research in text and discourse, textual pragmatics and context analysis

Awards and special achievements:
The Finnish Literature Society Doctoral Dissertation Award in 1995

Photo: Linda Lappalainen
Written by Pirjo Hiidenmaa and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by Kaisla Kajava. Revised by John Calton.