Writing her dissertation in social psychology, Doctoral Researcher Ella Heimonen works in a research project as part of an international network.
“It’s rewarding to be a researcher when your own research can promote a cause that is considered important and good by yourself and others,” says Doctoral Researcher Ella Heimonen, reflecting the nature of her work in the field of social psychology.
“There are moments when I realise that my work is profoundly meaningful not only to myself, but to others, too,” she says.
Heimonen is doing her doctoral research in the FriendMUM project at the Department of Social Sciences of the University of Eastern Finland. In the project, she explores the process of shared identity in friendships between mothers of immigrant and Finnish backgrounds.
Heimonen is currently employed as a doctoral researcher, but she has worked at the university already before, including as a departmental amanuensis.
“I liked my work as an amanuensis, but I feel more at home doing research. Sometimes, having to learn new things really quickly takes me out of my comfort zone. There is very little time, and a lot of information. That’s why work has to be systematic and well-reasoned. I have also talked with my supervisor about how research requires passion, or a calling. However, it’s not always hard, but also enjoyable and rewarding, for a number of reasons,” Heimonen says.
A close-knit and supportive work community means a lot to Heimonen.
“We have a really wonderful work community. We have plenty of activities, and we can share our work with one another, and also get to know each other more broadly. I am supported when I need it,” she says, thanking her colleagues.
There are moments when I realise that my work is profoundly meaningful not only to myself, but to others, too.
Ella Heimonen
Doctoral Researcher
Working as an amanuensis gave insight into academic administration
Originally from Oulu, Heimonen started her studies on the Kuopio Campus of the University of Eastern Finland in 2017. The idea of a research career ripened in Heimonen’s mind during her studies at the university.
“I enjoyed studying, searching for information and being constantly able to develop my own thinking. When I was doing my Master’s thesis, I realised that I would like to write a doctoral dissertation as well,” Heimonen says, thinking about the early days of her research career.
Heimonen’s studies included an internship in spring 2021, and working in the university’s Student and Learning Services offered an opportunity to learn about the university’s organisation and activities. Involving mainly administrative work, the internship deepened Heimonen’s understanding of the work carried out at the university. She ended up working for the university in multiple shorter contracts.
“During the internship, I was offered a short-term position substituting for an amanuensis at the Department of Social Sciences. I was then hired as a research assistant for three months to work in a research project led by Professor of Social Psychology Inari Sakki, after which I returned to my amanuensis role for another 18 months or so.”
Exploring intercultural friendships between mothers
Heimonen applied for doctoral studies in late 2022, when Professor of Social Psychology Eerika Finell was looking for a doctoral researcher for the FriendMUM research project. In addition to securing a personal grant, Heimonen was hired as a UEF Doctoral Researcher by the Doctoral Programme in Social and Cultural Encounters at the University of Eastern Finland.
The FriendMUM project examines facilitated friendships between mothers with an immigrant background and mothers with a Finnish background. Heimonen completed a literature review and ethical evaluation for her dissertation in fall 2023, and spring 2024 will see data collection in the form of interviews with mothers living in the Helsinki, Kuopio and Joensuu areas.
The partners in the research project are the University of Eastern Finland, Nottingham Trent University in the UK and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa.
“The perspectives on my doctoral dissertation offered by my international supervisors, Professor Clifford Stevenson at Nottingham Trent University and Professor Kevin Durrheim at the University of Johannesburg, are valuable when writing articles for international scientific journals. This gives me an opportunity to build my international networks,” Heimonen says.
Heimonen is confident about her future. She feels assured about finding employment, thanks to her pedagogical studies for adult educators, which give her a broad qualification to work as a teacher. Her experience in university administration is also an asset.
“I’ve been very lucky to find employment so quickly. At some point, I’ll have to start looking into what I’ll be doing after my PhD. I hope I’ll get a chance to spread my wings and see how far I can fly.”
