Tarja-Kaarina Laamanen

PhD, Postdoctoral Researcher

I currently work in Finnish Design Academy (FDA) project in Väre, Aalto Arts. FDA is a nationwide project to develop and promote Finnish design education. The head of the project is Lahti Institute of Design. The project is carried out in collaboration with expert organization for designers Ornamo and all universities of applied sciences and universities providing higher design education in Finland. Together these associates are committed to increase the quality of design education so that it will better respond to the needs of future and working life. My role is to coordinate one of the eight working-packages that operates in the project. The working-package focuses on creating a forum for collaboration and standards of activity for design education in Finland.

My research and general interests are connected to creativity in designing and design education as well as sustainability. My background involves pedagogical studies and long experience teaching design and crafts in adult and adolescence education. My doctoral studies were related to mentioned themes, I defended my PhD thesis 2016. I was visiting researcher in EMPIRICA research group after doctorate and I will be part of the group while working in the FDA project.