Leena
Vastapuu
Contact
Areas of expertise
Biography
I work as a University Lecturer in Political Science at the University of Turku and an Academy Research Fellow at the Tampere Peace Research Institute (TAPRI), both 50%. My research focuses on gendered inequalities in (political) crisis and conflict, with a particular focus on militarisation of daily life on the one hand and marginalised groups such as child and female soldiers on the other.
Prior to taking up my current positions, I worked as an Associate Professor at the Swedish Defence University. I have also worked as a civilian crisis management expert in the Central African Republic and held a variety of consultancy and NGO roles.
Alongside my research and teaching, I serve as Chair of the Finnish International Studies Association (FISA). Working with doctoral researchers is one of the most enjoyable parts of academic life, and I welcome enquiries from prospective doctoral researchers interested in topics related to gender and politics, militarisation, peace and conflict, and feminist and decolonial approaches.
Teaching
During the academic year 2026-2027, I am responsible for the following courses:
- VALT2010 A3.1 Qualitative Data and Research Methods (5 ECTS)
- VALT6308 S2.3 Qualitative Methods (2 ECTS)
In addition, I convene a BA thesis seminar in the spring term.
Research
My research is informed by feminist and decolonial perspectives and I have conducted extensive research in Liberia and, more recently, in Finland and across the Nordic region. I believe that (political) power and its exercise are often best understood by attending to silences and examining societal ’margins’.
Currently, I lead the HomeFront project (2025-2029), funded by the Research Council of Finland, which explores everyday militarisation in Finland following its NATO membership. I also lead the Finnish work package in a project led by Jenny Hedström, funded by the Swedish Research Council, investigating the role of women's organisations in wartime preparedness in Finland and Sweden.