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.

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.