Project team and contact information
Project leader and contact person:
Professor Leila Koivunen, European and World History, University of Turku, leila.koivunen [at] utu.fi
Koivunen has examined e.g. the history of collecting and display of the Finnish Missionary Society. Currently she studies Owambo foster children in Finnish mission families.
Other team members:
Dr. Kim Groop, Docent and University Lecturer in Church History, Åbo Akademi University
Dr. Anneli Ndapandula Haufiku, Lecturer, Department of Early Childhood, Education and Care, University of Namibia, ahaufiku [at] unam.na
Research interest: African languages (Oshindonga) and Educational Support. Haufiku is interested in the history behind Oshindonga’s A B D orthography and the role of the Finnish missionaries in developing it.
MA, doctoral researcher Jerkko Holmi, Contemporary History, University of Turku, javhol [at] utu.fi
Holmi currently writes his doctoral dissertation on the motivations of Finnish political actors, export companies and Christian missionary societies’ on relations with Southern African states in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The main purpose is to answer the question of why relations with African states were wanted to be established and what were the reasons behind them.
MA, doctoral researcher Essi Huuhka, European and World History, University of Turku
MA, doctoral researcher Loini Iizyenda, Lecturer in Fashion and Textile Studies, University of Namibia
Dr. Olli Löytty, Finnish Literature, University of Turku
Dr. Raita Merivirta, European and World History, University of Turku
Prof. Ellen Ndeshi Namhila, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Administration and Finance, University of Namibia, enamhila [at] unam.na; enamhila [at] gmail.com
Research interests: library, archives, colonial history, migrated archives
PhD Lovisa Tegelela Nampala, Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, Namibia
Dr Rachel Ndinelao Shanyanana-Amaambo, Senior Lecturer in Philosophy of Education (Educational Policy Studies), University of Namibia, Hifikepunye Pohamba Campus, Ongwediva; rshanyanana [at] unam.na or namaambo17 [at] gmail.com
Research interests: higher education, gender equality, social justice and human rights, gender based-violence, African Philosophy (Ubuntu), citizenship education, access to education for girls and women in Africa; see also Researchgate
Dr. Meameno Shiweda, Lecturer, Department of Intermediate and Vocational Education, University of Namibia
Dr. Vilho Amukwaya Shigwedha, Senior Lecturer, University of Namibia
Dr. Napandulwe Shiweda, Senior Lecturer, Public and Visual History/Culture, University of Namibia
Dr. Johanna Skurnik, postdoctoral researcher, University of Helsinki
MA doctoral researcher Kristiina Teppo, Contemporary History, University of Turku
See also University of Turku History of Colonialism Research Group
Image: Travelling in Oshigambo (1953?). Finnish Heritage Agency, Picture Collections, photographs of the Finnish Missionary Society.