Mervi Heikkinen

In my development-oriented career mainly in European projects during past 20 years, I have built up a theoretical and methodological background in understanding and strengthening human participation in the shaping and making of digital futurities through e-learning, e-work and e-research. The projects are related to gender equality promotion in education and labor market, gender equality and diversity planning, gender desegregation, gender equality work within organisations, gender and sexual violence and its prevention, sexual harassment and its prevention. I have published academic articles and book chapters on these subjects. Theoretically, my research builds on feminist research approaches that emphasize people’s empowerment and inclusion in society in general – specifically, intersectional gender equality.

Context of my research is northern Europe – Arctic North - as academic intelligence is taking a digi-leap while sustaining democracy - the most valuable and vulnerable cultural heritage of Europe. Moreover, the impact of my research relates to e-learning practices in online programs; enhancing possibilities for co-developing e-work in the form of e-consultation for professionals in education and social work; and practicing e-research on enabling features of technology-mediated knowledge production. The focus of my current research is on strengthening the possibilities to research the needs, potentials, affordances and social and ethical challenges in a Technology-Rich University.