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Jessica Parland-von Essen

Eva Jessica Parland-von Essen
Born February 9, 1970, Espoo

MA 1998 (History), PhD 2005, University of Helsinki
Library and Information Sciences (LIS) studies 2002–5, Open University at the Åbo Academy
Docent of History 2012, University of Helsinki

Coordinator at the CSC-IT Center for Science 2014–
Archive director of the Brages Pressarkiv, 2011–4
Librarian and director of IT development for the Society of Swedish Literature in Finland 2007–10
Assistant in History 2006–7, University of Helsinki
Entrepreneur 1991–, Café Kafka, Barcafé Panorama, Kaffecentralen and Kannisto bakery

Research areas
18th Century cultural history, book history and digital humanities

Publications, Research projects and other scientific activities

Awards
Hedvig Lovisa Falcken Fund Prize for the book Affärer, allianser, anseende (‘Business, alliances, reputation’) 2011
Gustav III Fund Prize for the dissertation Behagets betydelser (‘Meanings of modesty’) 2007

Photo: Mika Federley
Written by Jessica Parland-von Essen (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Joe McVeigh

My best memories from the University of Helsinki

I completed my first university studies in the beginning of the 1990s at a time when the students occupied the administration building and instituted a democratic form of government. It was perhaps a golden age in a sense, when studies were still rather unregulated and university culture was alive. I especially remember my first year of studies and the legendary, fantastic and individual teachers, such as Matti Klinge, Rainer Knapas, Henrik Stenius and Henry Rask.

We were a strong group of students when we started and I met my husband in those days. I remember how we met after a basic studies history course in the Pam Pam restaurant in the basement of the Heimola building. The restaurant conveniently opened at the same time that the lectures ended. We sat there for hours on end making the world better over one or two beers.

The Heimola building and Restaurant Pam Pam.​
The Heimola building and Restaurant Pam Pam.​

My other vivid memories are of course the public defence of my dissertation, a trial lecture for a senior lectureship position and other courses I liked to teach. I especially remember a proseminar which was attended by many very talented students. We joined together written and spoken presentations in the teaching. I believe that it was very successful and rewarding for all of the participants.

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