Sanviti Iyer
India
Media and Democracy 2024
Sanviti Iyer holds a BA in Psychology and Journalism from FLAME University. Her academic focus includes media pluralism, press freedom and the impact of propaganda and disinformation in the media.
Sanviti has worked as an Assistant Editor and reporter for People's Archive of Rural India, a digital news platform focusing on stories about rural India. She has also gained professional experience as a researcher studying Indian media during the colonial period.
Lisa König
Germany
Media and Democracy, 2023
Lisa König holds a bachelor’s degree in science journalism from TU Dortmund University. She currently studies on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki where she specialises in environmental change, sustainability, and the Arctic.
Lisa has gained professional experience as a freelancer for the German public broadcasting institutions WDR and SR and has also completed internships at the Arctic Centre in Rovaniemi and the Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability in Hamburg.
Alessandra Pereira Werlang
Brazil
Media and Democracy, 2025
Alessandra Pereira Werlang holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Communication with a focus on Journalism from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. She is currently studying on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki where she focuses on semiotics, politics, and queer studies.
She has work experience in academic administration in Cairo. Additionally, she has managed her own company producing content for digital environments.
Thi Mai Anh Nguyen
Vietnam
Media and Democracy, 2024
Thi Mai Anh Nguyen holds a Bachelor’s degree in International communication from the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. She is currently studying on the Media and Democracy track at the University of Helsinki where she focuses on studying globalization and cutural exchange, communication and media, and diaspora.
Thi Mai Anh has interned at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, specifically at the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese.
Her master’s thesis focuses on the Vietnamese diaspora community in Finland.
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.
Nina Laurinkari
Berlin, Germany
Governance and Organisations, 2023
Nina Laurinkari holds a Bachelor’s degree in European & International Law from Maastricht University. She is currently studying on the Governance and Organisations track at the University of Helsinki where she focuses on organisational communication, identity politics & globalisation, and the role of emotions in communication & non-verbal communication.
Nina has worked for different private, public and intergovernmental entities in Brussels (at the crossroads of communication, coordination, and analysis) for over 10 years. She has also gained work experience with several start-ups and fast-growth companies in diverse roles (incl. systems, process & people management and recruitment). Furthermore, she has a passion for creative writing, and published her first novel in German in 2022. The novel will be presented at the Helsinki book fair in 2023 ("Schuld schwarz-weiß", GEV).
Amanda Shalini Attanayaka
Sri Lanka
Governance and Organisations, 2025
Amanda Shalini Attanayaka holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Kelaniya. She is currently studying on the Governance and Organisations track at the University of Helsinki where she focuses on international relations, climate change and global governance, development studies and governance of emerging technologies and global risks.
Amanda has completed internship at the International Organization for Migration, Sri Lanka and Maldives (IOM - UN Migration) and at the United Nations Development Programme, Sri Lanka (UNDP). Additionally, she has worked as a senior associate at Room to Read Sri Lanka.
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.
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.
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 include security issues, foreign policy, geopolitics, international trade and the intersection of these topics.
Timo has gained interdisciplinary experience from working with international media and after completing his minor in Communication Science, he worked in a research project Emotions in European Politics at the University of Amsterdam. He currently works in the International Trade department of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. He recently also attended The European Investment Bank's Summer Graduate programme.
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 geoeconomic risks. Eemeli currently works for the Ministry of Finance as Specialist in Financial Affairs. Last year he completed a traineeship in the permanent representation of Finland to the EU in Brussels and worked as an analyst in the Prime Minister's Office. His previous work experience includes being a business analyst in FinTech and banking sectors as well as completing a traineeship in the trade confederation in EU & Trade Policy.
Master´s Thesis Title:
Narrative Hypothesis of Inflation Expectations
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