Active contacts with colleagues continue in retirement

Throughout my career, international research contacts have been important to me, and I would like to maintain them as long as I am still doing research. However, something has changed. Once you are retired, you can be more selfish and choose interesting topics with less regard for institutional cooperation.

Nowadays I only participate in conferences and symposia that are related to my own research projects. Previously, I presented my most important research on Finnish theatre at international conferences, no matter what language I intended to publish it in. I still continue to do so, although on a smaller scale.

I have very close connections with some research communities, for example the International Federation for Theatre Research, which is still very active.

Our IFTR historiography team, which first met in 1993 at the University of Helsinki, still gets together every year. For decades now we have maintained close contacts with the Nordic countries, as we have a lot in common.

After my retirement, it has been great to notice that my unit is getting on brilliantly without me. However, I can still take part as an ordinary researcher and attend various events. I can also work on projects that have not received much attention.

One of these is the Bank of Finnish Terminology in Arts and Sciences. For this, researchers in different fields are gathering a list of scientific terms with definitions, for use by students, researchers and members of the general public.

Even though a new generation of undergraduate and doctoral students has gradually come in, I am still looking forward to seeing the last of my students defend their dissertations and celebrating with them afterwards.

Written by Pirkko Koski.

Translated as coursework by Sara Jormakka, Saana Kallioinen, Tanja Koski, Suvi Lehikoinen, Tuomas Mäenpää, Emilia Mäkinen, Emma Niemi, Eerika Norja, Anu Piippo, Riina Vepsä, Saara Viitanen, Marilena Constantinou, Liisa Eloranta, Teemu Heikman, Marika Holmberg, Cecilia Ihatsu, Juliette Lempinen, Elviira Mattila, Sinimarja Niironen, Milla Rautio, Riikka-Liisa Salomaa, Sebastian Wandao & Elina Virros.

Revised by Nely Keinänen & John Calton

By Written by Pirkko Koski.

Pirkko Koski

Pirkko Kaarina Mirjami Koski
Born 22 December, 1941, Rural Municipality of Jyväskylä.

Librarianship qualification, 1963, University of Tampere.
Master of Political Science, 1964 (Literary History) and Master of Philosophy, 1980 (Comparative Literature, specialising in drama), University of Tampere.
Licentiate of Philosophy, 1989 (Comparative Literature, Drama), University of Turku.
Doctor of Philosophy (Theatre Studies) 1992, University of Helsinki.

Docent and Emerita 2008-, University of Helsinki.
Docent, School of Arts and Design 1998–2007.

Associate professor of Theatre Studies and Drama (fixed term) 1989–95, associate professor 1995–98 and professor 1998–2007, University of Helsinki.

Until 1979 librarian and research assistant for various employers; Acting director, Finnish Federation of Theatre Companies (3 years), 1977–84; Director, Theatre Museum 1981–88; theatre critic for Demari newspaper 1979–91

Publications, research projects and other academic activities
Research interests: Finnish theatre and theatre history, performance research and analysis, theatre and society

Awards and special achievements
Finnish Performing Arts, Gold Medal, 2001
First Class Knight of the White Rose of Finland, 2002

Written by Pirkko Koski and Riitta-Ilona Hurmerinta (ed.)
Translated by John Calton