Tapio Bergholm

Tapio Hannu Antero Bergholm
Born June 14, 1958 Helsinki

Master of Arts 1985, PhD 1997 (Finnish and Scandinavian history), University of Helsinki
PhD (Sociology) 2015, University of Eastern Finland

Historical researcher 2000–08, Senior researcher 2009, Central Organisatoin of Finnish Trade Unions (SAK)
Visiting Fellow 1990–91, Industrial Relations Research Unit, University of Warwick, England
Historical researcher and training secretary, 1984–2000 Finnish Transport Workers’ Union (AKT)
Docent in Finnish history 1999–, University of Eastern Finland
Docent in Finnish and Scandinavian history 1998–, University of Helsinki
Summer work, project work and part time work: camp leader, roadie electrician, film producer, columnist and lecturer

Member of the editorial board 2010-11, Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies
Member of the editorial board 2008–, International Journal of Maritime History
Member of the Working Committee for Ethics 2013–, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health
Chairman 2012–, Finnish Maritime History Association
Chairman 2007–12, Finnish Association of Work Life Research
Vice-chairman of the board, 2005–, International Commission for Maritime History

Research themes
Labour market history, history of the transport industry, and particularly the history of ports, and the history of the gender system.

Publications

Awards
Prize for best labour research 2008 ( for the work Sopimusyhteiskunnan synty II - ‘The Birth of Finnish Welfare II’) , awarded by Labour Heritage

Photo: University of Eastern Finland
Written by Tapio Bergholm (Tomas Sjöblom, ed.)
Translated by Matthew Billington

Opening Doors to Cooperation

Researching, teaching and participating in various organisations are all fascinating pursuits in their own right. Organisations can teach responsibility, both financial and in terms of one’s actions. In volunteer work, delegation and the division of labour are important. However, it is often the case that when you get an idea you will also be responsible for carrying it out.

Organisations under the umbrella of the Federation of Finnish Learned Societies have great freedom to pursue their scientific, intellectual and artistic aspirations. I myself have been able to organise and participate in many interesting events which have been made possible by such organisations as the Finnish Historical Society, the Finnish Society for Labour History, the Finnish Association of Work Life Research and the Finnish Society for Maritime History.

It is through seminars, conferences, congresses and meetings that domestic learned societies can form dynamic connections to international networks. Naivety, a quiet voice and shyness are not exactly on my list of characteristics, so I have been entrusted with a variety of honorary positions in the fields of maritime history and working life research.

Active participation in organisations has provided me many opportunities for expanding my own thinking and understanding. There is often a lot to be gained from interacting with experts on a wide variety of topics, fields and periods. You are always learning from others and gaining insight into the limitations and uniqueness of your own research. This knowledge is ultimately liberating. As it turns out, you cannot understand or explain everything.