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Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen

Born January 5, 1975

PhD 2007 (Latin American research), docent 2013, University of Helsinki
Master of Arts 2000 (religious studies/philosophy) University of Turku

Researcher 2007–15, Academy of Finland, University of Helsinki
Post graduate 2003-07, University of Helsinki
Project trainee 2002, International Organization for Migration, Lisbon
Administrative assistant 2000-02, Brazilian Embassy in Helsinki

Research Themes:
Indigenous peoples, Brazil, the social philosophies and epistemologies of Amazonian indigenous peoples, post-humanism, indigenous people policy and ethno-history.

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Awards and achievements
Numerous research grants from, inter alia, the Kone Foundation 2008, Bourse Legs Lelong (CNRS/France) 2008, the Sariola Foundation 2006, University of Helsinki’s SYLFF fund 2006, the Finnish Concordia Fund 2004, the Finnish Cultural Foundation 2003

Photo: Mika Federley
Written by Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

New Indigenous Studies Research Programme

Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen’s research projects have explored such themes as the environmental philosophy of indigenous peoples, indigenous peoples policy, the youth of indigenous peoples, local awareness of history and operating in new environments. She is particularly interested in the use of various cultural conceptions, such as conceptions of knowledge and time, the production of real and social spaces and the increasing ubiquity of digital technology. She has also worked with artists and numerous NGOs.

Pirjo Kristiina Virtanen giving a speech in Ljubljana in 2012. Photo: ZRC-SAZU.

The Indigenous Studies programme, which will begin in the autumn of 2015, is the result of long-term work by Dr Virtanen, Irja Seurujärvi-Kari, Lea Kantonen and many other colleagues. In the pilot study programme, students will study multilingualism, environmental philosophy, policy on indigenous people, and the art, history and power relations of indigenous peoples. The multidisciplinary programme will provide knowledge of different pedagogical techniques and teach students to analyse reality holistically, particularly through human rights and the environmental knowledge of indigenous peoples.

With some Apurinã children in Brazil. Photo: P.K. Virtanen.

 

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