Matthew Schilke
New Jersey, USA/ Finnish citizen
Media and Democracy, 2022
Matthew Schilke holds a Bachelor's degree from American University in Washington, DC, where he studied as part of the Global Scholars Program. At the University of Helsinki, he studies in the Media and Democracy track, and his academic interests include EU/NATO defense and security as well as questions of soft power and media influence.
Currently working as an English language journalist at Yle in Helsinki, Matthew has also worked in international relations, politics, and media in Brussels, Washington DC, and his home state of New Jersey. While originally from the United States, Matthew is a Finnish citizen and originally came to Finland in 2019 to do military service for a year.
Roosa Minkkilä
Finland
Media and Democracy, 2022
Roosa Minkkilä holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from Communication studies from the University of Jyväskylä in Finland. In the University of Helsinki she studies in the Media and Democracy track, specialising in political polarisation, humanitarian issues, as well as disinformation campaigns.
During her previous studies, she carried out a development project with fellow students for Geological Survey of Finland, with the aim of supporting their GTK 2.0 change program and internal communication practices. Roosa currently works as a communications coordinator for Ästerä, a language service company that specialises in humanitarian interpreting and themes related to refugees and immigration.
Katja Stempel
Germany
Media and Democracy, 2021
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 exploring questions of polarisation, "cancel-culture", freedom of speech, political identity, social media discourses, and democratic erosion.
Veronica Kontopoulou
Finland/Greece
Media and Democracy, 2021
Veronica Kontopoulou holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Journalism from Edinburgh Napier University. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Media and Democracy, specialising in journalistic objectivity, climate change and discourse analysis. Alongside her studies, Veronica has gained professional experience working as a journalist at Finnish Broadcaster, Yle News.
Ana Rita dos Santos Ferreira Leandro
Portugal
Media and Democracy, 2020
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.
Hanna Ojanen
Finland
Media and Democracy, 2020
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.
Emilia Salminen
Finland
Media and Democracy, 2020
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?
Theodor Salvesen
Norway
Media and Democracy, 2020
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.
Master's Thesis Title
Agrarian populism in Norway - The Norwegian Centre Party and the 2021 Election Campaign
Adam Oliver Smith
United Kingdom
Media and Democracy, 2019
Adam Oliver Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in English & History from the University of Leicester. At the University of Helsinki, he studies Media and Democracy, specialising in intergovernmental communications, media ethics and digital propaganda. Alongside his studies, Adam has completed an internship at the UK Delegation to the OECD at the British Embassy in Paris, France where he represented the UK in high-level meetings and provided policy support. Additionally, he has worked on a podcast with the British Embassy Helsinki and Finnish Embassy London looking at climate leadership in both countries, which included interviewing Finland's foreign minister, Pekka Haavisto. Currently Adam is working as a journalist for Yle, Finland's national broadcaster, where he cover issues such as the Ukraine conflict, Finnish elections, Afghan refugees for their English-language audience.
Master's Thesis Title
The Necropolitics of TRIPS: Neoliberal Disease and Slow Death in a Pandemic
Gideon Hagström Lung
New York City / Åland
Governance and Organisations, 2022
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.
Kaisla Punkanen
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2022
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.
Lina Lindqvist
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2022
Lina Lindqvist holds a Joint Honours Bachelors degree in Politics & International Relations and Sociology from the University College Dublin. In the University of Helsinki, she studies in the Governance and Organisations track where she focuses on International Relations, Sustainable Development and Governance.
Sophie Bujold
Vermont, USA
Governance and Organisations, 2022
Sophie Bujold holds an undergraduate MA (Hons) in International Relations from the University of Edinburgh. She is currently studying Governance and Organisations in the University of Helsinki, and is interested in global security, nationalism, and data protection and privacy.
Before her studies in Helsinki, Sophie worked as an International Operations Intern at the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) in the summers of 2021 and 2022. In 2020, she worked as a Digital Field Intern for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), supporting Representative Abigail Spanberger's successful re-election campaign for Virginia's 7th District.
Kalle Koivuniemi
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2021
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.
Weronika Krupa
Poland
Governance and Organisations, 2021
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.
Oskari Mantere
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2020
Oskari Mantere holds a combined BA and MA (Hons) in History and Politics from the University of Aberdeen. At the University of Helsinki, he studies Governance and Organisations, specialising in philosophy, politics of empires, human rights, and foreign policy. Alongside his studies, Oskari has worked with GPC director S.M. Amadae, as well as gaining professional experience as a communications trainee at PAM ry.
Sami Salovaara
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2020
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.
Maria Simula
Finland
Governance and Organisations, 2020
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
Nelson Cadavid Ossa
Colombia
Global Political Economy, 2022
Nelson Cadavid Ossa holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication & Journalism from the Universidad Autónoma de Occidente in Colombia. In the University of Helsinki, he studies 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.
Master's Thesis Topic
For his Master's thesis, Nelson is interested in exploring possibilities for improving economic conditions for people in rural contexts in developing countries.
Sebastian Segnitzer
Rain am Lech, Germany
Global Political Economy, 2022
Sebastian Segnitzer holds a Bachelors degree in Engineering, from Baden-Wuerttemberg/ Heidenheim Cooperative State University (Duale Hochschule Baden Württemberg/Heidenheim) in Germany. During his studies, he focused on Innovation and Product Management.
He is currently studying in the Global Political Economy track in the University of Helsinki. He is particularly interested in different aspects of global political economics, social and ecological economy of the future and political history.
Sebastian has gained professional experience as a trainee in the German parliament, as a team leader as well as working as a product manager for e-mobility.
Timo Salminen
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2022
Timo Salminen holds a Bachelor's degree from Leiden University, where he studied Political Science specialising in International Relations and Organisations. He complemented his Bachelor's degree by studying Communication Science as a minor at the University of Amsterdam. Timo's academic interests revolve around NATO, security issues, regional security complexes, great power politics, political economy, and European integration.
During his bachelor's studies, Timo worked with international media, and after completing his minor in Communication Science he worked at the University of Amsterdam in a research project "Emotions in European Politics".
Helena Drdlová
Czech Republic
Global Political Economy, 2021
Helena Drdlová holds a Bachelor of Arts in international relations and economics from Masaryk University. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in global value chains and the economy of central Europe. As well as global economics, she is interested in the interaction of states and transnational companies. Before joining the GPC programme, Helena gained professional experience holding positions as an Editorial Assistant for the Czech Journal of International Relations as well as shadowing the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs.
During her master’s studies she is worked alongside GPC director S.M. Amadae developing the GPC programme site.
Eemeli Paksuniemi
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2021
Eemeli Paksuniemi holds a Bachelors in Political History from Aalto University. At the University of Helsinki, he studies Global Political Economy, specialising in monetary politics, financial markets and geoeconomics. Alongside his studies, Eemeli has worked as a business analyst in FinTech and banking sectors as well as completing a traineeship in trade confederation in EU & Trade Policy. Additionally, Eemeli currently works as an analyst (suunnittelija) in the Prime Minister's Office.
Tyyni Kantonen
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2021
Tyyni Kantonen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Communication from the University of Helsinki. Currently, she studies Global Politics and Communication in the Global Political Economy track. In her research, Tyyni is particularly interested in the Latin American region.
Tyyni has gained professional experience by working as a trainee at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland, as well as at a Chilean environmental NGO Fundación, El Árbol.
Octavio Augusto Bellomo
Argentina
Global Political Economy, 2020
Octavio Augusto Bellomo holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from University of Michigan. At the University of Helsinki, he studies Global Political Economy, specialising in macroeconomics and development economics. Alongside his studies, Octavio is certified as a Future Analyst, as well as being a co-creator at Demola Global.
Master's Thesis Title
Argentina: Testing Dependency Theory
Lia Eversfield
Jersey
Global Political Economy, 2020
Lia Eversfield holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Economics from Bennington College. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in offshore financial institutions and global tax practices. As well as global finance, she is interested in China’s role in global politics having studied Mandarin at Fudan University in Shanghai. Before joining the GPC programme, Lia gained professional experience holding positions at the Royal Bank of Canada and Ocoroian. During her master’s studies she is working alongside GPC director S.M. Amadae developing the GPC programme site.
Aku Houttu
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2020
Aku Houttu holds a Bachelors in Political science, Media and Communication studies from University of Helsinki. For his Master's degree, he studies Global Political Economy, specialising in governance of the world economy, central banks and growthism. As well as global governance, Aku has worked as a communication trainee at a non-profit foundation as well as being an active board member of the University of Helsinki Student Union.
Mirjam Ligi
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2020
Mirjam Ligi holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech). At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in trade policy and the economics of the Asia-Pacific regions. Alongside her studies, Mirjam has gained professional experience working as a political and commercial intern at the Embassy of Finland in Australia.
Master's Thesis Title
Exporting values or bargaining with them? Normative power in EU trade policy
Ada Segerstam
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2020
Ada Segerstam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Politics and International Studies from the University of Warwick. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in the economics of climate change and the environment, as well as feminist political economy. Alongside her studies. Ada has gained professional experiences working as a Blue Book trainee at the European Commission in Brussels and as a communications trainee at the Ministry of the Interior in Helsinki.
Victoria Ristikangas
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2019
Victoria Ristikangas holds a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations; Development and Sustainability from Hawaii Pacific University & Fudan University. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), income inequality and global governance. Alongside her studies, Victoria has completed a traineeship at the European Commission, as well as gaining professional experience working as a project assistant at the European Commission.
Master's Thesis Title
Foreign Direct Investment: an All-benefitting Operation?
Anna Hattunen
Finland
Global Political Economy, 2019
Anna Hattunen holds a Bachelors in Development Studies from Lund University. At the University of Helsinki, she studies Global Political Economy, specialising in feminist economics, migration and gender transformative approaches. Alongside her studies, Anna has gained professional experience working at Plan International Finland.
Master's Thesis Title
World Trade Organisation’s Empty Promises on Gender Equality: Behind the Buenos Aires Declaration on Women and Trade