Pirjo Kukkonen

Pirjo Liisa Helinä Kukkonen
Born September 5, 1949 Oulunsalo

Master of Arts (Scandinavian philology) 1974, Licentiate 1983 (Scandinavian languages), PhD 1989, University of Helsinki
Examination for authorised translators (Finnish-Swedish) 1976
Subject teacher training 1974–75, University of Helsinki
Docent in Scandinavian languages 2005–, University of Oulu

Professor of Swedish translation studies 2011–, University of Helsinki
Acting professor of Swedish translation studies 2009–11, university lecturer in Swedish (translation studies) 2004–09, University of Helsinki
Head of the Department of Translation Studies 2000–03, acting professor of Swedish translation and interpretation studies 2000–2004, University of Helsinki
Scholarship researcher 1994–96
Lecturer in Swedish translation and interpretation studies 1991–2004, Acting assistant professor 1991–94, Kouvola Institute for Translator Training/ Department of Translation Studies, University of Helsinki
Research and teaching assistant, Scandinavian languages 1983–88 and 1988–91, University of Helsinki
Part-time teacher of Scandinavian languages, acting lecturer, acting research assistant, acting assistant professor 1975–83, 1990, University of Helsinki

Member of the Scientific Board of the International Semiotics Institute 2014–
Member of the Editorial Board and Scientific Board 2013–, Punctum. International Journal of Semiotics
Principal Investigator (PI) of Swedish translation studies 2011–, University of Helsinki
Researcher and steering-group member 2013–16, TraST Research Community, University of Helsinki
Researcher 2012–, Semiotics and Cultural Heritages: Semiotics, Translation and Cultural Heritages
Executive member of IASS/AIS The International Association for Semiotic Studies – Association Internationale de Sémiotique 2009–
Director (with Ritva Hartama-Heinonen) of the 11th International Symposium on Semiotics and Translation SemTra2015 in Kaunas, Lithuania,

Board member 1999–2012, Nordic Association for Semiotic Studies
Board member, lecturer, researcher 2003–12, Finnish Network University of Semiotics
Board member 2002–13, ISI, International Institute for Semiotic and Structural Studies

Project leader, researcher 2001–04, Kouvola Research Group
Researcher 1999–2002, Popular Imagination (Nordic Network of Folklore, Åbo Akademi University)
Researcher, 1999–2000, Understanding, Misunderstanding, and Self-understanding (ESR project)
Vice president of the Semiotic Society of Finland, 1997–
Expert advisor on Swedish at various ministries 1993–96, HAUS Finnish Institute of Public Management Ltd 1993–96 and Office of the President of the Republic of Finland 1994–99

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Research themes
Language, literature and translation studies, social and cultural semiotics

Awards and special achievements
ICoN Lifetime Achievement Award 2015
Tiedeyhteisön kultainen ansiomerkki (Finnish academic medal) 2014
Festschrift in Honour of Professor Kukkonen’s 60th Birthday
‘Oscar’ of Semiotics 2006
Honorary member of the Semiotic Society of Finland 2006
University of Helsinki Superior of the Year 2001

Photo: Ari Aalto
Written by Pirjo Kukkonen (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

Alma Mater and stellar moments

For me, the high doors of the Great Hall at my Alma Mater, the University of Helsinki, came to symbolise knowledge, doors which as a young student I had a burning curiosity to open so as to enter the world of knowledge and science. The Great Hall, with its solemn opening of the academic year each autumn semester, and graduation dates and ceremonies (publiikki), and conferment ceremonies constitute the best moments of my academic life.

I also remember the many Tuesday concerts in the Great Hall at the beginning of the 1970s (student price 30 pennies). Years later I listened to Erik Tawaststjerna’s legendary lectures on music, the Great Hall full to overflowing. Each time that I sit down in the Great Hall, I also think that this is where Jean Sibelius and Robert Kajanus conducted their orchestras.

In particular, an unforgettable moment was my own doctoral conferment ceremony in 1990, when the University of Helsinki celebrated its 305th anniversary. As a member of the Conferment Committee I also wrote on the semiotics of this occasion for our conferment publication Promotio ordinis philosophorum MCMXC Promotio 1990 350 Ordinis Philosophorum Universitatis Helsingiensis 1990 (1992). Our academic traditions in connection with marking the start of the academic year, doctoral dissertations, professorial appointments and conferment ceremonies are special features of Finnish academic life. Because students are the most important part of our work community, university pedagogy and didactics play a central role in our activities. The absolute best moments and highlights in everyday teaching and studying are when thought becomes text, how eureka moments are realised in teaching and supervision; i.e., how students have learned to think and write critically and independently – the Snellmanian idea of ‘thinking for one’s self’ has been realised. As a teacher and supervisor, my greatest joy is just this.

By Written by Pirjo Kukkonen (Tomas Sjöblom ed.), translated by Matthew Billington

Pirjo Kukkonen

Pirjo Liisa Helinä Kukkonen
Born September 5, 1949 Oulunsalo

Publications, research projects and other academic activity

Research themes
Language, literature and translation studies, social and cultural semiotics

Photo: Ari Aalto
Written by Pirjo Kukkonen (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington