Rector Mauri Ylä-Kotola appointed these persons on 28 April 2014 to positions in Sámi research vacant at the University of Lapland. A total of 30 persons applied for the new positions, which are research-intensive and lean toward social scientific and judicial Sámi research.
 
 
Rector Mauri Ylä-Kotola appointed Doctor Sanna Valkonen as Associate Professor of Sámi Research for a five-year term starting from 2 May 2014.

The research-intensive associate professor's tasks are to organize Sámi research activities, acquire supplementary funding, assemble Sámi research-related research programmes, and supervise research groups. The associate professor is also required to teach within the area of her expertise.

Sanna Valkonen graduated as a Master of Social Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä in 2001 and earned her doctorate at the University of Lapland in 2009. Her dissertation dealt with the political aspects of Sámi culture. Valkonen has studied the Northern Sámi language in the Sámi Education Institute and at the University of Lapland.

In its statement the external assessment group emphasized Valkonen's ability to acquire research funding, prepare research projects, engage in international activities, and supervise university-level teaching and studies. In addition, Valkonen was considered to be experienced in curriculum work at the university level and in educational planning within the social sciences.

The eligibility of the persons applying for the position of Associate Professor in Sámi Research was assessed by an external assessment group consisting of Professor Veli-Pekka Lehtola, Professor Ole-Henrik Magga, and Professor Juha Karhu.


Rector Mauri Ylä-Kotola appointed Doctor of Social Sciences Lydia Heikkilä as Postdoctoral Researcher of Sámi Research.

The position of the postdoctoral researcher focuses on postdoctoral research and on making progress as a researcher. The postdoctoral researcher is required to participate in field-related teaching and thesis supervision. The position was filled for the period 1 August 2014 – 31 July 2016.

Lydia Heikkilä graduated as a Master of Social Sciences at the University of Turku in 1990 and received her doctorate at the University of Lapland in 2006. In her dissertation Heikkilä discussed the argumentation between Sámi reindeer husbandry and wilderness administration as well as their differing views in Finland and Norway.

The eligibility of the persons applying for the position of Postdoctoral Researcher in Sámi Research was assessed by an external assessment group consisting of Professor Veli-Pekka Lehtola, Professor Ole-Henrik Magga, and Professor Juha Karhu.
 
 
Rector Mauri Ylä-Kotola appointed Master of Social Sciences Anne Nuorgam as Junior Researcher of Sámi Research.

The tasks of the junior researcher are to write a dissertation at the University of Lapland and to participate in field-related teaching. The position was filled for the period 1 August 2014 – 31 July 2016.

Anne Nuorgam graduated as a Master of Law at the University of Lapland in 2012. She is presently working in the Faculty of Law as a fixed-term researcher of public law specializing in Sámi law.
 

Further information:
 
Rector Mauri Ylä-Kotola
Tel. +358 400 276 288
 
 
ULapland/Communications/OT