Niina Kari
Global Political Economy study track.
Graduated 2022.
I’m Niina and I am PhD student at the University of Helsinki. The major events that sparked my interest in politics and global political economy were the Global Financial Crisis and the ensuing eurozone crisis. I remember thinking that something important was happening but not completely understanding it. This led me to choose to study politics at the University of Sheffield in England. During my bachelor’s studies, global political economy became my favourite subject. I was intrigued by how something could appear so complex and difficult to understand from the outside, yet be so important for the lives of everyone. So much suffering was taking place due to “economics” everywhere in the world at the time, including in Greece. I decided to write my bachelor’s dissertation on the Greek debt crisis, seeking to understand why austerity was chosen despite its terrible consequences. I was lucky and completed my studies at Sheffield right before the student tuition fees tripled in the UK.
When I returned to Finland in 2014, I immediately knew that I would want to complete my master’s studies at the University of Helsinki. I intuitively trusted that the teaching would be of high quality, and I was right. I had even read some of the professors’s publications back in the UK. The lens through which I had learned to examine the global economy in Sheffield found resonance at the University of Helsinki, and I felt right at home. The UK is of course known for its top universities, but I must say that I have learned much more (and read much more!) at the University of Helsinki. The GPE study track is excellent – it teaches you to think analytically and critically, and really engage with the relevant literature. It is a place for genuine learning – not just discussing politics! Nonetheless, normative concerns are not absent, and there is a sincere consciousness that each of the issues we discuss has real world relevance for ordinary people. These are the normative ideals that I want to be committed to throughout my academic career.
Gideon Hagström Lung
Governance and Organisations track
Gideon Hagström Lung holds a Bachelors degree in International Relations from New York University. His undergraduate education focused on bilateral relations in the context of security, climate, and migration policy. Multiculturalism is central to Gideon's identity, and it is the lens through which he approaches his research within these policy fields.
Before joining the University of Helsinki, Gideon completed student exchanges in Berlin Germany, Abu Dhabi UAE, and Anhui China. He worked for the US Embassy in Berlin within the Public Diplomacy Office, and later with the Permanent Mission of Finland to the United Nations with the communications and administration team.
Veronica Kontopoulou
Media and Democracy
Graduated in 2023
Bachelor´s degree in journalism and studied on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki. She specialized in journalistic objectivity/impartiality, post-foundational discourse analysis, power and hegemony.
Veronica is currently working part time as a journalist at YLE and is looking forward to new opportunities.
Her thesis is entitled:
Objectively too far? A critical evaluation of the BBC’s discourse on journalistic objectivity
Adam Oliver Smith
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2022
Adam Oliver Smith holds a BA in English and History. At the University of Helsinki, he studied on the Media and Democracy track, focusing particularly on Algorithmic propaganda, IGO communications, and market violence.
After graduation, Adam briefly continued the work that he had done during his degree studies as a journalist at Yle, Finland's national broadcaster. Almost immediately after graduation, however, he was hired full-time by Miltton, one of the largest communications consultancies in the Nordics. At Miltton he works in corporate communications, specialising in crisis communication, public affairs, public relations, financial market communications, and media training.
Adam's thesis title was:
The Necropolitics of TRIPS: Neoliberal Disease and Slow Death in a Pandemic
Hannah Jo Huber
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2024
Hannah Jo Huber holds a Bachelors degree in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations from the University of Utah. Currently she studies on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki. Her academic interests include Global Politics, International Relations, Russian Language and Area Studies.
Hannah has gained professional experience by working as a Congressional Intern at the House of Representatives in Washington D.C. as well as a Staff Member at the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Lavinia Klarhoefer
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2025
Lavinia Klarhoefer holds a B. Sc. in Media and Business Psychology. Currently, she studies on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki, focusing particularly on propaganda and persuasion, political communication, and political polarization.
Lavinia has gained professional experience in the political sphere as an intern in a think tank for social policy (Zentrum für neue Sozialpolitik) in Berlin, researching and analyzing policy processes and monitoring relevant academic developments in the field.
Hanna Ojanen
Media and Democracy track
Hanna Ojanen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Politics and Public Diplomacy from Maastricht University. In 2020, Hanna joined the University of Helsinki where she studies on the Media and Democracy track, specialising in platform governance and public diplomacy. Before and during her time at the University of Helsinki, Hanna has held a variety of positions such as, Project Manager at Nordic West Office, Conference Manager at European Business Leaders' Convention and Planning Officer at the Prime Minister's Office in Finland. She is currently working as the Public Policy Lead at Carbo Culture in Belgium.
Maria Simula
Governance and Organisations
Graduated 2022
Maria Simula holds a Bachelors in Political History from the University of Helsinki. For her Master's degree, Maria studies Governance and Organisations, specialising in sustainability, communications and organisations. Alongside her studies, Maria has gained professional experience working as a communications trainee at Valtti, as well as the Finnish Immigration Service.
Master's Thesis Title
Fast Fashion Brands doing Corporate Social Responsibility Communication on Instagram
Kaisla Punkanen
Governance and Organisations
Graduated 2024
Kaisla Punkanen holds a Bachelors degree in International Studies and Politics from the Queen's University Belfast. Currently she studies in the Governance and Organisations track in the University of Helsinki, specialising in diplomacy and human rights. Kaisla has gained professional experience by doing an internship in the public affairs consultancy agency Stratagem.
Camila Cowley Méndez
Governance and Organisations track
Graduated 2025
Camila Cowley Méndez holds a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations from the Autonomous University of Barcelona and is currently studying on the Governance and Organisations track at the University of Helsinki. Her academic interests include Migration studies, Governance, Human Rights and International Public Law, and Diasporas.
Camila has gained professional experience by participating in a EU funded project called Migrademo Project, which examines the impact of migration on democratic participation and processes in countries of origin.
Theodor Salvesen
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2022
Theodor Salvesen holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics & Arabic from SOAS, University of London. At the University of Helsinki, he studies Media and Democracy, specialising in political communications and populism. Prior to joining the GPC programme, Theodor worked as a business development in the legal sector. Alongside his studies, Theodor gained professional experience working as a communications advisor for the Norwegian Green Party as well as completing an traineeship at the Norwegian Embassy in Helsinki, Finland.
Ilona Mansikka
Global Political Economy
Ilona Mansikka holds a Bsc in History and Political Economy from Kings College London. She studied on the Global Political Economy track in the University of Helsinki. Ilona´s academic interests include central banking, political theory of finance, and global development.
Master´s Thesis Title:
For her Master´s thesis, Ilona explored the “Transparency of the ECB”.
Emilia Salminen
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2022
Emilia Salminen holds a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from Maastricht University where she wrote her thesis on Othering in the French News Media: The Case of 2010 French Burqa Ban. in 2020, Emilia joined the University of Helsinki where she studies on the Media and Democracy track, specialising in Feminist Research in politics, media and the politics of difference as well as the politics of gender and sexuality. Alongside her studies, Emilia has worked as a Junior Project Officer at Helsinki EU Office and as an Intern at the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR).
Master's Thesis Title
How is “Europeanness” framed in transnational media outlet Politico Europe in terms of and in relation to LGBT rights, Hungary’s anti-LGBT law of 2021 being a case in point?
Ana Rita dos Santos Ferreira Leandro
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2022
Ana Rita dos Santos Ferreira Leandro holds a Bachelors in Communication Sciences from NOVA University Lisbon. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Media and Democracy, specialising in gender studies, film studies and the use of propaganda. Alongside her academic interests, Ana is a contributing writer for Her Campus Media and Séries da TV, as well as a student ambassador for prospective students.
Katja Stempel
Media and Democracy track
Katja Stempel holds a Bachelor’s degree from European Studies with options in French and Spanish language from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. In the University of Helsinki, she studies in the Media and Democracy track, specialising in democracy and democratic advancement, polarisation and religion.
Katja has gained professional experience by interning at a radio station, an NGO focusing in enhancing societal, political and cultural relations within Europe and at a think tank on foreign policy and security affairs. Currently, she is a trainee at the International Exchange Services at the University of Helsinki.
Master's Thesis Topic
For her thesis, Katja is explored questions of polarisation, "cancel-culture", freedom of speech, political identity, social media discourses, and democratic erosion.
Noah Fraenkel
Media and Democracy track
Graduated 2024
Noah Fraenkel holds a Bachelors degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is currently studying on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki. His academic interests are focused on Ethics and Governance of A.I, Mediated Political Communication, Echo Chambers and Epistemic Bubbles. Noah has also worked as a Research and Strategy Coordinator at Entertain Impact.
Sonja Koskelainen
Governance and Organisations track
Graduated 2025
Sonja Koskelainen holds a Bachelors degree in Organisational Communication (BA) and is currently studying in the Governance and Organisations track at the University of Helsinki. Her interests include Communication and PR.
Sonja has professional experience from working as a Communications Specialist at UPS Sweden and at UPS Finland. She has also held the position of Communication Manager at One4all Finland Oy.
Sami Salovaara
Governance and Organisations track
Sami Salovaara holds a Bachelor of Arts in European Studies from Malmö Universitet. At the University of Helsinki, he studies on the Governance and Organisations track, where he specialises in EU policy and organisation, global politics and the challenges of democracy. Alongside his studies, Sami has gained professional experiences working as a Liaison Officer at the Finnish EU Presidency as well as completing an internship at the Finnish Embassy in Prague.
Rezwana Abedin
Global Political Economy
Rezwana Abedin holds a BA in International Relations from Bangladesh University of Professionals. Her fields of academic interests are Politics and Sociology. Rezwana has gained professional experience by working as an intern at Doctors Without Borders (MSF).
Weronika Krupa
Governance and Organisations track
Graduated 2024
Weronika Krupa holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Chinese from SOAS, University of London. At the University of Helsinki, Weronika studies Governance and Organisations, specialising in Gender, LGBT+ rights and Eastern European politics. Alongside their studies, Weronika has completed an internship at the Embassy of Poland in London as well as gaining work experience as a Student Ambassador both at SOAS and University of Helsinki.
Eileen Staudt
Global Political Economy track
Graduated 2025
Eileen Staudt holds a Bachelors degree in International Studies from Leiden University. She studied on the Global Political Economy track in the University of Helsinki. Eileen is particularly interested in focusing her research on East Asia, Southeast Asia, Political Ecology, Development, and Financial Crises.
Eileen has gained professional experience by working in a consultancy project: Rabobank "Decarbonizing Agricultural Supply Chains".
Nelson Cadavid Ossa
Global Political Economy track
Graduated 2024
Nelson Cadavid Ossa holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication & Journalism from the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente in Colombia. Atthe University of Helsinki, he studied in the Global Political Economy track and his academic interests lie in rural development, international cooperation and public management.
Before starting his studies in Helsinki, Nelson has worked in planning and implementing social projects aimed at improving the living conditions of vulnerable people and communities in rural contexts. He has also worked in projects promoting interaction between citizens and public entities.
Poojika Buddhinee Amarakoon
Global Political Economy track
Graduated 2025
Poojika Buddhinee Amarakoon holds a bachelor's degree in International Studies with French Language as mandatory course from the University of Kelaniya. She studied on the Global Political Economy track at the University of Helsinki. Her academic interests include sustainable economy, digital economics, South Asia, nordic economy, development economics, and cyber politics.
Poojika has gained professional experience by working as an intern in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka (Attached to East Asia and Pacific Division). She has also worked as a support clerk for the High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka, as a Consular Assistant in the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, as visiting lecturer in Bandaranaike Centre for International Relations in Sri Lanka, as well as a lecturer in the Open University of Sri Lanka.
Alec Baker
Global Political Economy track
Graduated 2025
Alec Baker holds a Bachelor´s degree in International Relations and German Studies from Bucknell University. He is currently studying on the Global Political Economy track at the University of Helsinki. His academic interests include national security, international relations, and political economy.
Alec has gained professional experience working as a summer intern at the US embassy of Helsinki.
Mikaela Sasi
Media and Democracy track
Mikaela Sasi holds a BSc in Economy and Society from Lund University and is currently studying on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki. Her academic interests include human rights, disinformation, and populism.
Mikaela has gained professional experience working at Finland's Permanent Mission to the United Nations as a Junior Advisor and is currently working as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Helsinki.
Johan Wahlsten
Global Political Economy track
Graduated 2022
Johan Wahlsten holds a BA in Political History with a specialisation in International History. At the University of Helsinki he studied on the Global Political Economy track, with a special interest in political economy; international financial and monetary policy; economic relations and their domestic and global political implications.
After graduation, Johan has been employed as a doctoral researcher at the University of Helsinki's Faculty of Social Sciences. His doctoral research focuses on the International Monetary Fund's post-2008 financial crisis capital flow policies.
His thesis was entitled:
The Politics of Economic Expertise: Economics, the State, and the Neoliberalization of Finnish Social Democracy
Nuura Naboulsi
Global Political Economy study track
Graduated 2022
Nuura Naboulsi holds a BSc in Development Studies with a major in Political Science from Lund University and a Master’s degree in Global Politics and Communication from University of Helsinki. Naboulsi has completed internships at the Ministry of Education and Culture in Finland and Save the Children, and has worked as a research assistant at University of Helsinki. Naboulsi has also gained professional experience in diversity work and creative projects, and has been selected for EDUFI traineeship at The Finnish Institute in the Middle East in Beirut.
Her Master’s Thesis was entitled:
The Moral Political Economy of Technology and Well-being : The Case of Finland in 2020s
Kalle Koivuniemi
Governance and Organisations track
Kalle Koivuniemi holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations & Philosophy from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. In the University of Helsinki, he studies in the Governance and Organisations track where he specializes in algorithmic governance, international political systems, normativity and power relations.
Kalle has gained professional experience by working in the immigration department of the Finnish Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Keskus).
Thesis topic
Kalle’s Master’s thesis focuses on Algorithmic Governance and its distributive outcomes and power dynamics.
Jani Liukkonen
Global Political Economy
Graduated in 2021
Jani Liukkonen holds a BA in International Relations and he studied on the Global Political Economy track at the University of Helsinki. During his studies he focused on macroeconomy, finance, and politics. He currently works at Nordea.
His thesis is entitled:
An analysis of the European Central Bank presidents- How has the ECB monetary policy changed and what role have the presidents played in shaping the future of the Eurozone?
Vanessa Garcia Torres
Governance and Organisations
Graduated 2021
Vanessa Garcia Torres holds a BA in Communication from the University of Lima, Peru and a Master’s degree from the Governance and Organisations track in the Global Politics and Communication programme at the University of Helsinki. In her studies, she was particularly interested in corporate communications, sustainability, anticorruption, and ethics.
Following her graduation from the University of Helsinki, Vanessa returned to Peru to work at the University of Lima as a teacher at the Communication Faculty. After one semester of being a teacher, she was invited to be the head of the Social Responsibility area at the Sustainability Center at the University of Lima. Today, she works full time at the University of Lima in both positions.
Her Master´s Thesis was entitled:
Institutional Change and Transparency Practices in the National Audit Office of Peru
Siiri Fagerlund
Media and Democracy
Graduated 2019
Siiri Fagerlund holds a Bachelor´s degree in media. She completed her Master´s degree in Helsinki University where she studied on the Media and Democracy track. During her studies she specialised in social media, feminism, and communication. She currently works as the Chief Marketing Officer at CHAOS Architects.
Her thesis is entitled:
"Really? She is an abuser?" : A feminist categorical-content analysis on Asia Argento vs. Jimmy Bennet case on Facebook